Financial resource mobilization business strategies used in public secondary schools of Lusaka district of Zambia.

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Date
2022-06-21
Authors
Lutempo, Mwamba Gwennie
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Zambia like many other countries has had major barriers in accessing adequate funding in most public secondary schools. In an attempt to address their funding problems, some schools have adopted fundraising ventures as a way of supplementing government resources. The successes and practicability of the implementation of such ventures remain to be seen. There is lack of information about the adequacy of such measures and no institutional framework exists to guide their implementation. This study explores the range of financial resource mobilisation and fundraising activities adopted by secondary schools. It looks into how public secondary schools are raising funds and how these funds are being utilized based on a sample of 20 public secondary schools in Lusaka district of Zambia. A descriptive survey design was employed which involved qualitative techniques in data collection, analysis and presentation. The data collection instruments were, Interview Guide, and Document analysis. The sample size was 20 participants, selected using purposive sampling techniques. Data was analyzed thematically. The study found that government grants were erratic resulting in secondary schools engaging in various financial mobilization strategies including user fees, entrepreneurial activities such as peanut butter manufacturing, running co-operative shops, rent out school infrastructure, tuck shop, farming and donor support in order to continue providing quality education. Challenges in the quest to mobilize financial resources in secondary schools were many among them, reduction in user fees, political influence and poor government funding. However, secondary schools indicated willingness to overcome challenges they faced in mobilizing financial resources by suggesting measures to improve finances in school. The study recommends that school administration should continue to innovate new strategies to mobilize financial resources to effectively supplement government support in education provision. Government must continue to provide financial grants to ensure that quality education in provided to learners. In addition, secondary schools must take advantage of available resources and school infrastructure to effectively mobilize financial resources at local level. The research also found that some of the financial mobilization business strategies included venturing into crop agriculture, fish and animal farming.
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Keywords
School finances and needs.
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