Schools’ financial standing and the implementation of public procurement regulations in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the influence of schools’ financial standing on the implementation of public procurement regulations in public secondary school in Mwingi west sub-County, formerly Migwani district in Kitui County Kenya. The study objective sought to establish the influence of school fees payment on the implementation of public procurement regulations in public secondary schools in Mwingi west Sub County. This study is based on Social and Economic Organization theory of bureaucracy by Max Weber. Descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. The target population consisted of 29 public secondary schools and 29 headteachers were targeted. Two public secondary schools out of the 29 public secondary schools were used for pilot study. The sample size was twenty-seven public secondary school headteachers. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select the sample. The study used questionnaires as a tool for data collection. Instrument validity was done in schools which did not participate in the main study. A test-re-test technique to ascertain instrument reliability was done. Once data was collected, it was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using pie charts. The study established that fees payment was irregular and in piecemeal as reported by 43.5% of headteachers which disrupts schools' financial stability hence hindering compliance with public procurement regulations. This leads to prioritizing essential procurements, delaying non-critical purchases, and borrowing from suppliers, compromising transparency, accountability, and the quality of goods and services. The study recommended that schools should enforce strict fee payment policies, diversify income sources, and enhance financial management, while the government should increase capitation grants and review procurement policies.