Challenges hindering the provision of resources in schools of Sibasa Circuit

Abstract

The study focused on investigating challenges in the provIsIon of resources in the Department of Education in schools of Sibasa Circuit. The importance of the study was that it provided information to the Department of Education regarding challenges in the provision of resources in the Department of Education. The study also provided strategy in addressing the challenges in provision of resources in the Department of Education. Poor-provision of resources such as textbooks, funds, stationery and shortage of classrooms and libraries has been a cause of concern for schools found in Sibasa Circuit. Learners attend schools in dilapidated and overcrowded classrooms without adequate furniture, where ceilings have caved in, hanging precariously overheads, and in addition, learners are forced to attend classrooms while standing. The study used descriptive research design. The sample size was made up of 80 respondents: 1 circuit manager, 8 principals, 14 SMT members,43 Level 1 educators and 14 SGB members. The study used non-probability sampling and the participants were selected using purposive sampling. The methodologies used in this study were mixed methodologies in that the data collection methods employed in this study were qualitative and quantitative in nature. An interview schedule and a survey questionnaire were used to collect data respectively. Validity and reliability of the research instruments were tested by means of a pilotstudy. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics after data cleaning and coding. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequency counts and percentages while qualitative data was analyzed by tallying the numbers of similar responses. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic representation and presented in a narrative form whereas quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 11.5. The findings of the study was that corruption, mismanagement of finance, lack of control and monitoring mechanisms, lack of adequate checks and balances, poor planning and management, lack of transparency, are the main challenges in the provision of resources in the Department of Education. The study also found out that there will be ineffective and inefficient teaching and learning, which will lead to a high failure rate in

schools if the situation is not attended to study has also found out that it will lead to massive demoralization and disillusionment among teachers and a negative and worsening perception of the teaching profession .The study has revealed that the standard of education will lose value. The study recommends that there should training of officials in terms of Public Finance Management Act. There should be effective monitoring and control measures in place that guide the way in which resources in schools are distributed. The Minister of Education should establish and implement norms and standards for schools infrastructure. The study further recommends that the system of financial accountability is put in place. The study also recommends that there must be measures in place to fight any acts of corruption.