Assessing the extent of staff participation in the financial administration of public secondary schools in Adansi traditional area

Abstract

The study focused on assessing the extent of staff participation In financial administration in public secondary schools in the Adansi Traditional Area. The purpose of the study was to identify areas of school finances where staff members were particularly involved. It was also to find out whether finance committees had been established in the schools and how effective they were. The study also sought to find out whether staff had access to information relating to financial transactions in the schools. The target group for the research were Headmasters/Headmistresses of public secondary schools, Assistant Headmasters, Accountants, teaching and non-teaching staff and Auditors from District Education Offices. The total population was two hundred and eighty (280), and the sample size was hundred (100). The instrument used for data collection was questionnaires. The data were analysed according to the research questions of the study. Summaries of data were presented in tables, frequencies and percentages. The' findings of the research revealed that, a number of loopholes and lapses existed in the financial administrative structure of the schools investigated. It also revealed that most of the schools had established finance committees but were not active. The study therefore recommended that Heads and Accountants should involve their staff members, especially assistant heads in the financial administration of the schools. Also, Ghana Education Service could provide training in basic accounting and financial administration to management personnel through in-service programmes so as to inform staff on financial issues.