Challenges Facing Heads of Public Secondary Schools in Managing Capitation Grants: A Case of Songea Municipality, Tanzania

Rose Cletus Kangu & Rweyendera Gosbert Ngonge
The Open University of Tanzania, Tanzania
DOI – http://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2025.8107

Abstract

This study focuses on the challenges facing heads of public secondary schools in managing capitation grants in Songea Municipality, Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-method approach. A purposive criterion technique was used to select 2 municipal education officers, 5 secondary school heads, and 5 ward education officers, interview method was used to collect data from these education officers and secondary school heads. Convenience techniques and questionnaire methods were used to collect data from a sample of 32 school board members. In contrast, a random sampling technique and questionnaire were used to collect data from a sample of 128 public secondary school teachers. Moreover, documentary review was another data collection method that was employed in this study. The study revealed that heads of public secondary schools encountered several challenges including a lack of financial budget skills; a lack of auditing skills; and inadequate financial management training that would enhance capitation grant management. It was recommended that the government employ enough qualified school bursars; introduce in-service training and workshops to school heads and their assistants; allocate enough funds to schools and on time. It was also recommended that schools should formulate disaster preparedness plans in financial records management to ensure that financial records are adequately created and protected for future use.

Keywords: management of capitation grants, public school financial management, challenges facing school heads

References

Aliyu, B. (2018). Assessment of Financial Management Practices Among Secondary School Principals Kaduna State. Inter J. Hosp. & Tourism Mgt. 2(2), pp, 22–27.
Bush, T. (2007). Educational leadership and management: Theory, policy, and practice. South African journal of education, 27(3), 391-406.
Bush, T. (2011). Theories of Educational Leadership and Management (4th ed.). Sage
Damka, O., Ephrahem, G. & Bhoke-Africanus, A. (2021). Effectiveness of School Heads’ Financial Management Skills in Provision of Quality Education in Secondary School. Journal of Education, Society, and Behavioural Science. 20-28. 10.9734/jesbs/2021/v34i230302.
Fidelis, A. & Mwila, P. M. (2022). Managerial Principles: Its Role in the Utilization of Capitation Grants in Public Secondary Schools in Muleba District, Tanzania. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), Volume VI, Issue X
Foli, G. C. (2019). Headteachers’ Perception of the Implementation of the Capitation Grant Scheme in The Sunyani West District of the Brong Ahafo Region. IJSRM Volume 07 Issue 09 September 2019 (www.ijsrm.in) DOI: 10.18535/ijsrm/v7i9.el01
Gamayuni, R. R. (2018). Factors affecting internal audit function effectivity (internal auditor competence and objectivity, management support, and organisation culture) at local government. International Journal of Monetary Economics and Finance, 11(3), 179-191
Kuunyangna, C. S. (2010). Challenges associated with implementing the capitation grant policy: A survey of basic school financing in the Wa municipality (Doctoral dissertation, University of Cape Coast). https://ir.ucc.edu.gh/xmlui/handle/123456789/1417
Manara, K. & Mwombela, S. (2012). The Governance of Capitation Grant in Primary Schools: from Civic Engagement and School Autonomy Perspectives. REPOA’s 17th Annual Research Workshop held at the Whitesands Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; March 28-29,
Mapolisa, T., Ncube, A. C., Tshabalala, T. & Khosa, M. T. (2014). Challenges Faced by School Heads in the MGT of School Finances. Nova J. H & Soc.Sc., Vol. 3(4), pp. 1-5
Maulid, M. J. (2017). Accountability in Education Management: The Efficient Use of Fiscal Resources in Tanzania. A PhD thesis at University of New York: New York
Msoka, E., Muteti, C. & Eugene, E. (2020). Effectiveness of Heads of Schools Management of Capitation Grants. African J. of Educ.& Soc. Sc. Res. Vol. 8 No.1, p, 2617-7315
Mtasigazya, P. (2020). Administration of the Capitation grant and its repercussion on equity in Tanzania: the case of selected councils. J. of Res.in Educ., Sc., and Tech., 5(1),
Munge, M., Maina, D. and Ngugi, D. (2016). Factors Influencing Financial Management in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya. Inter. J. Econ., Comm. & and Mgt, Vol. 9.91-114.
Ndlovu, S. (2013). Why heads are accused of financial maladministration. Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association Press: Harare
Nelius, R., and Onyango, D. (2022). Challenges Facing School Heads in Controlling Finances in Bukombe District Public Secondary Schools, Tanzania. East African Journal of Management and Business Studies 2(1), 1-6. Doi: https://doi.org/10.46606/eajmbs2021v02i01.0004.
R. S. (2006). Secondary Education in Tanzania: Key Policy Challenges.Dares Salaam. University of Dar es Salaam
Sebidi, S. D., Aina, A. Y., & Kgwete, E. M. (2023). Auditing public schools’ financial records: A study of financial management from the eyes of relevant stakeholders. Perspectives in Education, 41(4), 237-251. https://journals.co.za/doi/epdf/10.38140/pie.v41i4.7105
Senkaali, H. (2014). Challenges of accounting for the universal primary education capitation grant in Luwero district, Uganda (Doctoral dissertation). https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=16291288375288599676&as_sdt=2005&sciodt=0,5&hl=en
Sikia, M. (2015). Assessing the Utilisation of Capitation Grants in Public Primary Schools: A Case Study of Iringa District in Tanzania [Doctoral dissertation, University of Dodoma]. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12661/66
Uwazi, (2010). Capitation grants for education. When will it make a difference? Dar es Salaam: Published Uwazi at Tweweza.
Foli, G. C. (2019). Headteachers’ Perception of the Implementation of the Capitation Grant Scheme In The Sunyani West District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
World Bank. (2018). Tanzania Education Sector Analysis: Beyond Primary Education, the Quest for Balanced and Efficient Policy Choices for Human Development and Economic Growth. World Bank Publications. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports /documentdetail/435081553605830287
Yussuf, M., Tonya, E. & Mohamed, S. (2021). The Effect of Internal Auditing on Procurement
Performance in Parastatal Organizations of Tanzania. Business Education Journal (BEJ), Volume 10, Issue III, 15 Pages. cbe.ac.tz/bej