School funding for public schools : problems experienced by school principals Zeerust Area Project Office of the Central region

Abstract

The purpose of the research study was to determine from the literature problems experienced by schools on funding in terms of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents and a qualitative research method was conducted. The target group were principals of schools in the Zeerust Area Project Office as part of the Central Region in the North West Province. Hundred and twelve respondents took part in the survey only hundred principals participated in the study. Empirical investigation revealed that government funding was one source of income for schools and that funding of schools was decentralised to provinces. Enrollment was one of the criteria used to determine funds provided to schools. Parents' contribution was determined to a large extent by the poverty level of the families around schools. No fee schools were mostly found in rural areas. The study therefore, recommended that a sound advocacy should be put in place in order to establish the norms of no fee schools for indigent parents and that the affluent parents to understand that they have to pay school fees. Mechanisms used to determine the allocation of school funds should be reviewed. There has to be a programme to benefit small schools with insufficient funds. Companies have to adopt schools and assist especially with physical resources like photocopiers and computers. There has to be enough training for management to enable them to raise funds and communicate with big companies.