Participatory Decision-Making and Financial Management in Public Secondary Schools in Kericho County

Abstract

Prudent financial management entails deterrence of mismanagement, squandering and misappropriation of institutional funds. To ensure prudent financial management in public secondary schools, measures such as establishment of committees to manage finances and enhance financial accountability have been put in place. However, despite these measures, public secondary schools have continued to report financial mismanagement. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of involving stakeholders in financial management decision-making processes within public secondary schools in Kericho County, Kenya. The study was underpinned by participatory leadership theory. Concurrent nested research design, and mixed methods were adopted in the study. 239 public secondary schools were targeted, out of which a sample of 289 participants was selected. The sampling group consisted of 72 principals, 72 bursars, 72 student presidents, 72 chairpersons of the Board of Management (BOM), and 1 County School Auditor. Stratified proportionate sampling technique and purposive sampling method were utilized. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. The reliability of the research instruments was ascertained by subjecting them to Cronbach alpha test. Content validity was checked using expert. Descriptive analysis was employed to analyze the questionnaires, while thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the qualitative data. Results were presented in tables. The findings indicated that government high schools demonstrated a moderate level of stakeholder engagement in financial decision-making activities, with 69% of principals taking sole responsibility. Students’ council presidents experienced the least involvement in BOM meetings on school finance matters. Consequently, the study recommends that principals prioritize involvement of all stakeholders in the fiscal decision-making processes. The study contributed to knowledge on stakeholders’ role in prevention of misappropriation of finances in public schools through participation in decision making activities.