More autonomy planned for school heads
Kabo Ramasia
Staff writer
The Ministry of Basic Education will soon implement a new arrangement that will see School Heads assuming complete responsibilities of their schools’ affairs including the management of school finances.
Sources reveal that the ministry hopes to efficiently manage the procurement of books in government which has been a challenge for years.
The Business Weekly & Review has learnt that the procurement system in use at the ministerial Headquarters was disadvantaged students and the learning process as students could go for weeks without books. This books shortage crisis led to parents having to buy books for their kids, overburdening them with unnecessary costs. This week a highly placed source at the troubled ministry told this publication that due to delays associated with the current system, a decision has been taken to decentralize by way of depositing funds in schools accounts to hand over control over procurement to school heads. “It is hoped that that the delivery of items like books, photocopiers and stationery in general will improve”, the source added.
Furthermore school heads will oversee issues such as maintenance of classrooms, staff housing as well as procuring teaching and learning material. “The aim is to ensure speedy delivery of materials to schools. The tendering process and government financial regulations will however still apply the difference being that the school principals will be the accounting officers. District tendering will still apply and pass through District Tendering Committee which manages government tenders at that level.
This new decentralisation makes part of other ministerial reforms which have been proposed on a larger scale. This entails devolving powers to regional education officers who are currently led by regional directors. There is furthermore a proposal to make regional offices mini ministries with little interference from the superior office hence giving the Unity Dow-led office to specifically deal with policy and not operational matters.
Despite the government’s sizable spending on education, results have not been improving in the sector.
Staff writer
The Ministry of Basic Education will soon implement a new arrangement that will see School Heads assuming complete responsibilities of their schools’ affairs including the management of school finances.
Sources reveal that the ministry hopes to efficiently manage the procurement of books in government which has been a challenge for years.
The Business Weekly & Review has learnt that the procurement system in use at the ministerial Headquarters was disadvantaged students and the learning process as students could go for weeks without books. This books shortage crisis led to parents having to buy books for their kids, overburdening them with unnecessary costs. This week a highly placed source at the troubled ministry told this publication that due to delays associated with the current system, a decision has been taken to decentralize by way of depositing funds in schools accounts to hand over control over procurement to school heads. “It is hoped that that the delivery of items like books, photocopiers and stationery in general will improve”, the source added.
Furthermore school heads will oversee issues such as maintenance of classrooms, staff housing as well as procuring teaching and learning material. “The aim is to ensure speedy delivery of materials to schools. The tendering process and government financial regulations will however still apply the difference being that the school principals will be the accounting officers. District tendering will still apply and pass through District Tendering Committee which manages government tenders at that level.
This new decentralisation makes part of other ministerial reforms which have been proposed on a larger scale. This entails devolving powers to regional education officers who are currently led by regional directors. There is furthermore a proposal to make regional offices mini ministries with little interference from the superior office hence giving the Unity Dow-led office to specifically deal with policy and not operational matters.
Despite the government’s sizable spending on education, results have not been improving in the sector.
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