Effectiveness of Board of Management Involvement in Financial Management in Enhancing Student Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools In Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

The research aimed to assess the effectiveness of school boards (BOMs) in enhancing student performance in public secondary schools of Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. To achieve this, the study investigated the relationship between BOM effectiveness and academic standards, specifically focusing on financial management practices. Hargreaves's (2001) Capital Theory of School Effectiveness and Improvement provided the theoretical framework. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting data from 97 schools, 97 deputy principals, and 194 BOM members using observation checklists, questionnaires, and surveys. Reliability was established through Pearson's product-moment correlation and test-retest methods. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequencies, means, percentages, standard deviations, ANOVA, and regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval. Findings revealed a strong positive correlation between BOM financial management and school performance (KCSE mean, p=0.001 ). The study recommended training for BOMs in policy-making and annual employee evaluation. Despite efforts, BOMs faced challenges in attracting qualified personnel due to inadequate training. To address this, the government is urged to provide training to enhance BOMs' hiring and selection capabilities.