The Financial challenges facing the management of primary schools by the headteachers after the introduction of free primary education: : a case of Westlands division, Nairobi

Abstract

The study was an investigation into the financial challenges facing primary school headteachers in Westlands division, Nairobi. The study was conducted utilizing thirty five participants who included 33 primary school headteachers, one district education advisor and the Nairobi City Council Education officer. The study employed an ex post facto research description and sampling was done using the purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using the questionnaire and interview schedules.

Data analysis was carried out using the statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) utilizing both descriptive and statistical analysis procedures. Descriptive statistics used included the mean, frequency and percentages while statistical analysis was carried out using the Chi- square Test at the 0.05 level of significance.

The study established that the primary school headteachers were facing major financial challenges that put academic standards at stake. The headteachers were also found to be solely responsible for financial accounting in the schools, as they could not afford the services of accounts clerks. This means that they were over burdened with financial management as well as other administrative duties and the teaching\instruction, which they must undertake. Such workload could affect the quality of teaching whereby the headteachers are unable to cover the syllabus and prepare examination classes as required. They are also busy sOliing out financial problems to the detriment of academics.

The study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Education, should ensure that the money given to schools is sent on time to avoid delays in the procurement of basic requirements in the teaching/learning process. The government should also consider revising the method employed in deciding the amount of money to be allocated to each school. This is because different schools have different needs in respect ofthe facilities they have in place and their location in terms of rural and urban areas.