Financial management practices and students'welfare in government secondary schools in Buzaaya county in Kamuli district,Uganda

Abstract

The study established the extent to which financial management practices affect students’ welfare in government secondary schools in Buzaaya County in Kamuli District, Uganda. The objectives of the study established the extent to which budgeting, financial mobilization and monitoring affects students’ welfare in government secondary schools in Buzaaya County in Kamuli District, Uganda. The study used a case study design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study population consisted of 524 respondents, from whom a sample of 229 was drawn. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview guide. The responses from the questionnaires were computer coded and analyzed in SPSS version 21.0 to generate descriptive statistical information which was presented in form of percentages and frequencies. The data obtained from interviews was analyzed qualitatively using content and discourse analysis. The study found out that; Budgeting is not a statistically significant influential factor in ensuring students’ welfare (r = -0.074, sig = 1.160) while financial mobilization and monitoring are statistically significant influential factors in promoting students’ welfare in government secondary schools in Buzaaya County in Kamuli district (r = 0.426, sig = 0.017), (r = 0.632**, sig = 0.000) respectively. The study recommends that the USE funds disbursed to many schools should match students’ enrolment. This will help to reduce on the financial deficits that many USE schools go through. The USE funds should be released on time at least before the opening of the term. This will facilitate effective planning, and will make it easy for such schools to purchase scholastic materials and even meet other school operational requirements that promote students, welfare in time. Monitoring of USE-programme funds should be carried out on a regular basis, at least every month or every after release of USE funds. In addition, there should be involvement of parents and the general community in monitoring the utilization of USE-programme funds. All these will help in improving stakeholders’ adherence to better financial management practices which are crucial in successful implementation of any programme geared towards students’ welfare.