Management Strategies and their Effects on Efficacies in the Administration of Finances in Public ECDE Centres in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya.

Abstract

Early childhood education is the basis upon which all levels of education are anchored and therefore effective financial management systems are required to maximize the efficient use of resources, create the highest level of transparency and accountability to ensure long-term economic success. The main purpose of this study was to assess management strategies and their effects on efficacies in the administration of finances in public ECDE centers in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya. The study specifically addressed financial planning strategies employed, co-ordination strategies, organization strategies and control strategies. This study was based on Management Theory as advanced by Luther Gurlic and it adopteda descriptive survey research design using pragmatist paradigm. The sample size was based on a sample size determination formula by Krejcie and Morgan. Schools were stratified to their quotas. Furthermore,224 ECDE teachers,55 head teachers, 55 SMC chairpersons, 1 QASO,1 County chief education officer and 1 County auditor weresampled using stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. The instruments for data collection were interviews and questionnaires and were piloted in Nandi County that share similar characteristic as the study area. Cronbach Alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of the instruments. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as measures of central tendencies (frequencies, percentages, and means) and inferential statistics such as Pearson Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression analysis. This study found out that there was no budget preparation in pre-schools based on schools‟ vision. It found a positive significant correlation between planning strategies and financial management efficacies. It also emerged that signatories to the pre-school accounts had questionable integrity. In addition, procurement procedures were not followed by SMC‟s while procuring ECDE goods and services. The study found a positive significant correlation between organization strategies and financial management efficacies. Infrastructural development funds for ECDE schools in the county were mainly from the County government and parents. In addition, the study found a positive significant correlation between coordination strategies and financial management efficacies. The study findings showed that not all financial transactions were recorded in ECDE centers and at the same time, audits were not regularly conducted on all projects. Moreso, there was a statistically positive significant relationship between control strategies and financial management efficacies. The study recommends that there is need for ECDE management committee to: plan for resources early enough before spending to curb waste, strategic mechanisms be put in place to lobby for financial support of ECDE programmes from different stakeholders, train ECDE center committees on financial management so as to improve on financial management and finally the policy framework be streamlined to give a clear picture on management of ECDE Education. It is hoped that the findings will be ofgreat significance to policy makers on understanding the best strategies which if implemented will promote efficacies in the administration of ECDE funds. The study recommends that the government be consistent in funding, increase ECDE allocations and also disburse funds in time. Moreover more strategic mechanisms are put in place so as to lobby for financial support of ECDE programmes from different stakeholders.