Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the current practice and
challenges of managing financial and physical resources in secondary schools of
Metema Woreda West Gondar Zone. To conduct this study a descriptive survey
method was employed. A total of 41 respondents (04 principals, 21 PTAs, 01
educational office and 15 KETB heads members) were included in the study. The
schools, principals, PTAs and KETB heads members were selected using
comprehensive sampling method. The data were gathered through questionnaire,
interview and document analysis. Data gathered through questionnaire were
analyzed using percentage, mean and independent sample t-test. Data obtained
through interview and document analysis were qualitatively analyzed. The study
revealed that in managing financial and physical resources were, the planning, the
controlling and evaluation tasks lag behind and poorly practiced. The study
showed that the challenging issues in managing school financial and physical
resources were absence of guide lines; insufficient training; lack of appropriate
experience; poor financial planning and implementation; poor keeping of
financial documentation and recording; absence of stock control policy; and low
participation of SGBs and poor storage system in schools. As a result of the
findings of the study, the researcher concluded that unless situations are changed
the ride towards quality education is in question. The woreda education offices
must create good relationships with their schools to provide support in the form of
supervision, auditing and evaluation of resources utilization and investigate their
resource utilization practices. In schools, principals must possess their managerial
skills to provide leadership in their schools to encourage SGBs to add their efforts
in school resource management. SGBs must continue to work with school
principals in an accountability sense to improve participatory administerrial over
financial and physical resources at school level.
