FUND GENERATION STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY PRINCIPALS FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated fund generation strategies adopted by principals for school improvement in secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Three specific purposes, three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the 266 principals from the 266 public secondary schools in the state; which was used as the sample for the study. Structured rating scale ‘Principals’ Fund Generation Strategies Rating Scale’ (PFGSRS) was used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by three experts in Faculty of Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Internal consistency co-efficient of 0.864, 0.814, and 0.919 were obtained using Cronbach Alpha statistical method. The researcher administered the instrument to the respondents with the help of five research assistants. Data were analyzed using aggregate mean, standard deviation and independent t-test. The findings of the study revealed that principals in Anambra State, Nigeria generate funds through (endowment fund and community contributions) for school improvement; but do not generate funds through international aids sources for school improvement. The findings also revealed that the mean fund generation strategies scores of secondary school principals were clustered around the mean scores which show homogeneity of secondary school principals’ response. The test of hypotheses revealed that there is no significant difference between urban and rural principals’ means responses on the fund generation strategies adopted for school improvement. The study concluded that for schools to improve astronomically, principals must continue adopting these fund generation strategies in the administration of their schools. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that Anambra State Ministry of Education through the Post Primary School Service Commission should make funds available in schools for the development of facilities needed for school improvement. Principals should also explore other strategies such as crowd funding, corporate sponsorship, merchandize sales, organizing special events and so on that enhance continuous fund availability for school improvement.