Challenges facing management of operational funds allocated for instructional and support needs of secondary schools in Mbeya District, Tanzania.
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJCI International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction
Abstract
This mixed study focused on the challenges experienced by schools in managing operational funds allocated
by the government for instructional and support services. The study employed a cross-sectional design and
involved 17 public secondary schools in the Mbeya district, Tanzania. A sample size of 10 participants,
encompassing 5 headmasters and 5 bursars, were involved to collect qualitative data by interviews that were
analyzed thematically. On the other hand, a sample size of 255 respondents, encompassing members of the
School Management Team (SMT) and heads of departments, were involved to collect quantitative data by
questionnaire that were analyzed by descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages. The study
reveals that, efficiency of schools in managing operational funds received from the government is constrained
by unbudgeted mandates from local government authorities, inconsistent disbursement of funds, extended
delays in fund disbursement, and teachers serving bursary and teaching roles altogether are burdened in the
management of funds. The study underscores the necessity to streamline the coordination in fund allocation
decisions between school administrators and local government authorities to ensure equitable allocation of
requirements. The central government should also ensure consistent and timely disbursement of funds, and
hire dedicated bursars to base in schools.
Description
International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction 17(2) (2025) 627–642
Keywords
Instructional resources, Operational Funds, School Management Team (SMT), Support services.
Citation
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/