Determinants of Working Capital Management Practices in Senior High Schools in an Era of Free Senior High School Policy in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT Free senior high school policy has been one of the educational interventions in Ghana which has been of great benefits to parents, students and other educational stakeholders. However, senior high schools in Ghana have been faced with issues related to working capital management. This study was conducted to assess the determinants of working capital management practices in senior high schools in an era of free senior high school policy in the Central Region of Ghana.The study employed the explanatory design. In all, 162 administrative staff directly involved in working capital management from 41 senior high schools in 8 districts were selected using the proportionate random sampling techniques. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation, regression techniques, and independent sample t-test. Findings revealed that competency levels had a significant positive effect on working capital management. Experience of practitioners was reported to have a significant positive effect on working capital management practices. Competency levels were also shown to have a positive moderation effect on the relationship between experience of practitioners and working capital management practices. It was recommended that the Free Senior High School Secretariat institute programmes to build administrative staff’s capacities to enable them manage working capital effectively.