TESTING THE MODERATING EFFECT OF BOARD CAPACITY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNANCE PRACTICES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KERICHO COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study assessed whether the internal capacity of Boards of Management (BOMs) moderates the relationship between school governance practices and financial management in public secondary schools in Kericho County, Kenya.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Despite substantial government financial allocations to public secondary schools, audit reports in Kenya persistently reveal financial mismanagement, underdevelopment, fiscal crises, inadequate infrastructure, and inconsistent procurement practices.
METHODOLOGY: The study employed a concurrent nested mixed-methods design grounded in Systems Theory, sampling 72 schools (30%) from 239 public secondary schools in Kericho County using stratified, purposive, and simple random techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed using inferential statistics and thematic analysis.
FINDINGS: Findings revealed weak school governance practices, limited stakeholder involvement, and inadequate enforcement of financial control mechanisms. The internal capacity of BOMs did not significantly moderate the relationship between school governance practices and financial management.
CONCLUSION: The study concludes that the internal capacity of BOMs does not significantly moderate the relationship between school governance practices and financial management in public secondary schools in Kericho County.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Teachers Service Commission and County Directors of Education, should formulate and enforce comprehensive capacity-building frameworks for BOMs.
Keywords: Board of Management internal capacity, BoMs, school governance practices, financial management, public secondary schools, Kericho County, Kenya
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