THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ROLE OF PRINCIPALS IN …

THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ROLE OF PRINCIPALS IN SECTION 21 SCHOOLS IN SOUTH DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL

By

ISHARA HANSRAJ

Submitted in part fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF EDUCATION in the subject

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: Prof. F.J PRETORIUS

FEBRUARY 2007

Acknowledgements I wish to express my deepest and sincerest thanks and gratitude to the following people for their assistance in this research project: My husband, Sanjith for his support, academic assistance and patience throughout this research. My children, Tiana and Taedi for their patience, tolerance and understanding. My sister Saadhna for her support and academic guidance. My parents, family and friends for their continued support. The Almighty for granting me the strength and perseverance to complete this project. A special thanks and appreciation to my supervisor, Prof. Francois Pretorius, for his expert academic guidance, encouragement and continued support.

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Summary This study focuses on the financial management role of principals of Section 21 schools. The research reports on principals working within such a regime. The South Africa Schools Act makes provisions for schools, through their school governing body, of which the principal is a member, to obtain funds from the community. Therefore the acquisition and spending of such funds has to be managed effectively and efficiently. This mini dissertation endeavours to study the changing role of principals with regard to the effective management of school finances and whether they have the necessary skills to perform these duties. Reference is made to similar situations of principals of schools in the United States, England, Australia and certain developing countries. The qualitative research method was used to elicit the perception of Section21 school principals. The research concludes with an attempt to make some recommendations for this new role of Section 21 principals.

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Table 1.1 Table 2.1 Table 2.2 Table 2.3

List of Tables

Checklist for Section 21 status Differences in financial school management Constituent element of school- based management Changes in roles and responsibilities for principals - Overview

Page 7-9 21 22

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Acknowledgements Summary List of tables

Table of Contents

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Chapter One Orientation to the study

1.1 Introduction

1

1.2 Categories of schools in South Africa

3

1.2.1 Non-section 21 schools

5

1.2.2 Section 21 schools

5

1.3 International perspective

9

1.4 Motivation and Reasons for studying the financial management role

of principals of section 21 schools

11

1.5 Problem statement, objective and purpose of the study

12

1.6 Research Design and Methodology

12

1.7 Significance of the study

14

1.8 Definition of important concepts

15

1.8.1 Financial Management

15

1.8.2 School Management

15

1.8.3 Accountable

15

1.8.4 Accountability

16

1.9 Chapter Division

16

1.10 Summary

18

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