FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY CHALLENGES FACING

Abstract

Notwithstanding growth on transfer payments allocated to Section 21 schools over the last five years, the SGBs are riddled with weak controls, financial mismanagement and poor accountability for such resources. The exploratory study was conducted using the data collected through interviewing the sampled SMTs, SGBs, Education Development Officers of Queenstown District and documentary analysis to understand their perspective on the issues. The study acknowledged that most SGBs do not have the requisite capacity to account for the resources allocated to them and there are confusing roles with SMTs. The delegation of authority to governance structures while maintaining a distinction between their mandate and the SMTs still present challenges. The efforts of other SGBs are recognised and can be embraced with ensuring that as recommendations financial skills become the prerequisite to serve in the governance structures. Further, may consider incentivising the schools for good governance and learner performance.