Sound financial practices alone do not guarantee strong academic results, says a study by North-West University (NWU) postgraduate student Bongani Steven Dhlamini.

His research, titled “The Contribution of Effective Financial School Management to Quality Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools”, examined how financial management influences education outcomes.

The study reviewed legislative frameworks, funding models and the strategies used by principals, finance officers and department heads. Data was collected through individual interviews at six schools, five from Quintile 1 and one from Quintile 5.

“Our findings show that although the Department of Basic Education provides training to newly appointed governing bodies, these bodies are not always effective,” Bongani said. “Parent members are not always comfortable with English, which is often the language of training, and this limits participation.”

One principal noted, “We follow proper financial management practices, but the challenge is the lack of capacity among some parent members. They are not always available for urgent decisions, and this slows down processes.”

The study found that whereas some schools underperform academically, they still maintain strong financial management. Bongani explained: “Financial management depends on strong systems and oversight, while academic performance is influenced by teaching quality, learner engagement and parental involvement. These factors do not always align.”

He stressed the importance of ongoing training and stronger oversight. “Good financial management is not just about balancing books. It is about ensuring that resources are directed to teaching and learning, which directly impacts learners’ performance and staff morale,” he said.

Bongani recommended that the Department of Basic Education revise training for school governing bodies. “The department should begin with a thorough needs assessment to design tailored training programmes,” he said. “Training must focus on practical skills, real-life scenarios and regular updates on policies and regulations. Mentorship and collaboration with financial experts would also improve outcomes.”

He also underlined the role of leadership. “Principals and school governing body chairpersons must ensure that financial decisions support teaching and learning. Transparency, accountability and collaboration with teachers, parents and communities are essential to align funds with educational priorities,” he said.

Bongani Steven Dhlamini’s research highlights the link between sound financial management and quality teaching and learning.