INFLUENCE OF BUDGET REPORTING PRACTICES ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MANDERA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Purpose: Amid the need to foster efficiency and effectiveness in schools, budgetary practices have been embraced by public secondary schools in different part of the world. Key of which is to compel planning and to provide best practices criteria in financial management in the public institutions, however, criticism has been leveled against the school management on issues of wastages and misappropriation of public resources. The study intended to assess the influence budget reporting practices on financial management in public secondary schools in Mandera County, Kenya.

Methodology: The study was guided by financial prudential and zero-based budgeting theories. The study adopted mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation design. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially using One-Sample t-Test using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables.

Findings: The study established that secondary schools in Mandera County rarely adhere to budget reporting practices geared toward to improving financial management. In conclusion, budgetary reporting plays a key role in the financial management in secondary schools.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy Thus, the study recommends that schools should adhere to the well-laid down budget reporting procedures. Principals should engage the services of skilled personnel to oversee budget implementation and consider the financial resources available. Schools should conduct continuous evaluation of the achievement of budget plans. The ministry of education will benefit from the study in carryout regular capacity building of school managers and also enforcing financial regulations to ensure prudent utilization of school funds.