Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of managing financial
resources in secondary schools in Ada’a Barga, West Shewa , Oromia Regional State
Descriptive survey design supplemented by some qualitative data was employed. Four
principals, two Schools finance officers, seventy six teachers, six PTA members and four woreda
education office experts were included in the study. Quantitative data were collected through
questionnaires and qualitative data were collected through interviews and document analysis.
The quantitative data were collected, coded, tabulated, analyzed, described, and interpreted by
using SPSS statistics 20. The data that collected through close-ended questionnaire from all
respondents were analyzed quantitatively by using the frequency, and percentage. The data that
were collected through interview, document analysis, and open-ended questionnaire were
analyzed qualitatively using narrative form. The study pointed out that in managing school finance,
the controlling and evaluation tasks lags behind, absence of guide lines; insufficient training; lack of
appropriate experience; low participation of SGBs were taken as challenging issues in managing school
finance, poor financial planning and implementation; Based on the findings of the study, the researcher
concluded that unless situations are changed the quality education is highly affected. In order to improve
the management of school finance, the study recommended that the woreda education office create good
relationships with their schools to provide support in the form of supervision, woreda finance office have
to regularly audit and evaluate schools their finance utilization practices. Woreda education office has to
prepare training to Principals, school finance officers and PTA in order to help them provide good
financial leadership in the schools. School governing bodies must continue to work with school principals
in responsible way to improve participatory decision making over school financial resources.
