Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DPhil (Education Management))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

The objective of this study was to find out how a course in School Financial Management should be designed and presented in order to bring about an improvement in the practice of school financial management in disadvantaged schools in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was conducted in the interpretive and critical theory paradigms, and employed a qualitative empirical approach. The focus of the research was two cohorts of school leaders taking part in the Advanced Certificate in Education: School Management and Leadership programme at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. The researcher presented a course in Financial Management to both of these cohorts, and employed an action research method in her research, introducing the insights and lessons learned from teaching the first cohort in the design and teaching of the second cohort. Data were collected in various ways, including written assignments of students, class discussions, personal interviews and document analyses. More data were collected during school visits at which the researcher observed the level of financial practice at schools, and could also, from the one-to-one interactions with the students, identify the issues that were still problematic to them. Another aspect of the data gathering process was the detailed analysis of the section on Financial Management in the ACE study material provided by the Department of Education. This enabled the researcher to compare her study material and teaching approach to that of the Department’s study material, so as to ascertain which content and methods of teaching were best suited to bringing about an improvement in practice. The study’s main findings were that designers of such programmes in Financial Management should focus on basic Accounting principles and avoid an overload of content of issues which are “good to know”, but do not contribute to the understanding of Accounting principles necessary for the drawing up of financial statements. The method of teaching should predominantly be an interactive approach based on adult learning principles, with enough time for students to complete certain assignments and activities with feedback by the lecturer. The role v of mentors and of the lecturer visiting schools was emphasised as one of the key ways to assist participants in implementing what they had learned. The most important recommendations emanating from the study were the suggestion that the Department of Education should play a bigger formational role in providing feedback to schools on the financial statements submitted to the Department by these schools, the rethinking of the Department of Education’s module on Financial Management in the ACE for School Principals, and the development of a follow-up course in which all the additional aspects of School Financial Management could be included.

Thesis (M. Ed.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011 / Financial management is fundamental to the improvement of the efficient and effective use of finances in schools. If principals and SGB chairpersons are well trained on their roles and responsibilities regarding financial management, they will be able to effectively deal with financial matters of schools. Financial management is an integral part of efficient and effective financial management in schools. This study provides a literature discussion on funding provided to schools by the government, as well as the essences of financial management in the school setting. The study also sought to scrutinize the impact of related Acts and policies on financial management in schools. The fieldwork sought to determine the extent of possible problems that schools experience regarding financial management and aimed at providing possible solutions for efficient and effective financial management in schools. Principals and SGBs chairpersons made up the sample of this study. Questionnaires were used to determine the views and opinions of these participants regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of financial management in their schools. The data gathered through the open-ended questionnaires were analysed and reported on qualitatively. The key findings were that principals and the SGBs chairpersons wish to play an important role in financial management in schools, but lack financial management skills to do so. The lack of financial management skills was more evident on the side of the SGB chairpersons. The result of this lack of financial management skills has the effect that other types of financial problems arise at schools.

This research focuses on problems encountered by School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in executing their financial task in four schools situated in the Ramotse Area, Hammanskraal, north-east of the city of Tshwane. The research methodology, which was employed, can be described as qualitative, exploratory and descriptive by nature. Data was collected by means of two focus group interviews, one involving the chairpersons of SGBs and the other involving the managers of the same schools. An analysis of the data has revealed a number of financially related problems, which SGBs in the Ramotse Area experience, amongst other things that parents fail to meet their financial obligations and subsidies tend to arrive late. The most important recommendation made is that SGBs should be trained both better and more frequently. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This research focuses on problems encountered by School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in executing their financial task in four schools situated in the Ramotse Area, Hammanskraal, north-east of the city of Tshwane. The research methodology, which was employed, can be described as qualitative, exploratory and descriptive by nature. Data was collected by means of two focus group interviews, one involving the chairpersons of SGBs and the other involving the managers of the same schools. An analysis of the data has revealed a number of financially related problems, which SGBs in the Ramotse Area experience, amongst other things that parents fail to meet their financial obligations and subsidies tend to arrive late. The most important recommendation made is that SGBs should be trained both better and more frequently. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Financial management remains a challenge in many schools because most managers lack proper training. Schools are still unclear on the features and functions of a school’s budget. The implementation and control of the budget and evaluation remain problematic. According to Mestry (2004: 26), there are many Principals and School Governing Body (SGB) members who lack the necessary financial knowledge and skills and are placed under tremendous pressure because they are unable to work out practical solutions to the financial problems of the school. In many instances it has been reported that principals and SGBs have been subjected to forensic audit by the Department of Education due to the mismanagement of funds through misappropriation, fraud, pilfering of cash, theft and improper control of financial records. The South African Schools Act no. 84 (SASA) prescribes how the school should manage their funds. It also provides guidelines for the SGB and the principal on their roles and responsibilities in managing the finances of the school. SGB must perform all functions as stipulated in section 20 of the Schools Act (South Africa, 1996). The study has will find that the SGBs in township schools have a challenge in the management of funds in schools. This is due to the fact that parents in the SGBs of the selected township schools lack of knowledge and expertise making it difficult for them to contribute meaningfully in governance. The Department of Education trains SGBs on roles and responsibilities, but it seems as if training is not effective. The budget is drawn up efficiently and finance records are well managed in some township schools in some township schools. The researcher in some township schools recommends that the treasurer of the SGB should be someone with expertise in accounting or financial 5 skills. This will reduce the administrative duties that are performed by the principal on behalf of the parents in the SGBs. The Department of Education should strengthen the training given to the SGBs so that they can perform their duties efficiently and effectively. All stakeholders should be consulted when the budget is drawn. Schools should foster good working relations between the SMTs and the SGBs / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Financial management remains a challenge in many schools because most managers lack proper training. Schools are still unclear on the features and functions of a school’s budget. The implementation and control of the budget and evaluation remain problematic. According to Mestry (2004: 26), there are many Principals and School Governing Body (SGB) members who lack the necessary financial knowledge and skills and are placed under tremendous pressure because they are unable to work out practical solutions to the financial problems of the school. In many instances it has been reported that principals and SGBs have been subjected to forensic audit by the Department of Education due to the mismanagement of funds through misappropriation, fraud, pilfering of cash, theft and improper control of financial records. The South African Schools Act no. 84 (SASA) prescribes how the school should manage their funds. It also provides guidelines for the SGB and the principal on their roles and responsibilities in managing the finances of the school. SGB must perform all functions as stipulated in section 20 of the Schools Act (South Africa, 1996). The study has will find that the SGBs in township schools have a challenge in the management of funds in schools. This is due to the fact that parents in the SGBs of the selected township schools lack of knowledge and expertise making it difficult for them to contribute meaningfully in governance. The Department of Education trains SGBs on roles and responsibilities, but it seems as if training is not effective. The budget is drawn up efficiently and finance records are well managed in some township schools in some township schools. The researcher in some township schools recommends that the treasurer of the SGB should be someone with expertise in accounting or financial 5 skills. This will reduce the administrative duties that are performed by the principal on behalf of the parents in the SGBs. The Department of Education should strengthen the training given to the SGBs so that they can perform their duties efficiently and effectively. All stakeholders should be consulted when the budget is drawn. Schools should foster good working relations between the SMTs and the SGBs / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)