Challenges Hindering Effective Utilization of School Resources for Better Service Delivery in Public Secondary Schools in Nyamira Division, Nyamira County, Kenya

Abstract

The study was designed to enhance prudence and efficiency in the management of school resources and more importantly its finances. The study sought to identify the challenges hindering effective utilization of school resources for effective service delivery in public secondary schools in Nyamira Division, Nyarnira County. This study was anchored on the prudential theory propounded by an American Economist, Athur B. Laffer (1980) and the efficiency theory also propounded by another American economist Havey (1993). They argued that managers like principals of schools must handle and spend money wisely and that the general efficiency of a firm rests in its ability to transform resources into optimum profits. These theories are relevant and applicable especially when focusing on financial management and handling of public resources in the schools. The population of this study comprised of 16 public schools, 16 principals, 272 teachers, 4 ZQASOs and 1 DEO. The study targeted the 16 (100%) public schools in the division, the sample consisted of the 16 schools, 16 (100%) principals, 68(23% teachers, 2(50%) ZQASOs and 1(100%) DEO. The total respondents were 87(29%) out of a population of 293(1 OO%).the validity of the research instruments was achieved with the expert analysis of the supervisors, their reliability was ascertained using the Spearman Brown Prophesy formula: during the pilot study which was conducted on two randomly selected schools. A reliability coefficient of 0.75 was achieved which is within the recommended by researchers. The pilot study was equally important to check whether any challenges might be encountered in the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design to investigate the various challenges of effective utilization of resources .n sccon.la.y schools in Nyamira Division. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from the respondents. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches of data analysis were used. The study found out that nearly two thirds 53(62%) of the respondents agreed that physical resources such as classrooms chairs and land affected service delivery in schools, 25 (29%) of them indicated that human resource utilization was wanting ,..so needed serious attention, However, only 8(9%) of the respondents felt that financial resource acquisition wasn't a problem but rather their utilization. The study recommends that principals and field officers ensure effective resource utilization in the schools they manage in order to enhance effective service delivery.