Influence of Principals' Competency in Financial Resource Management on Provision of Quality Education in Public Secondary Schools in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract Effective financial resource management is a vital competency for school principals, as it directly influences budgeting practices, accountability, and provision of the quality education in public secondary schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of principals’ financial resource management competency on the provision of quality education in public secondary schools in Embu County. A mixed-methods approach employing a convergent parallel design was adopted: the quantitative strand utilized a cross-sectional survey design, while the qualitative strand employed a phenomenological design. Data for both approaches were collected concurrently, analyzed separately, and integrated during interpretation. A multi-stage sampling strategy incorporating cluster, stratified, simple random, and purposive sampling yielded a sample of 201 respondents, comprising 49 principals, 147 heads of departments/teachers, and 5 sub-county directors of education. Questionnaires were administered to teachers and principals, while interviews were conducted with sub-county directors of education. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, where both descriptive and inferential statistics, including linear regression, were applied, while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that principals demonstrated strengths in financial record-keeping, accountability, and resource allocation, but faced challenges in mobilizing additional resources, involving stakeholders in financial planning, and addressing budgetary constraints. Regression analysis established a statistically significant positive relationship between principals’ financial resource management competency and provision of quality education (p = .015 < 0.05). The study recommends targeted professional development focusing on advanced budgeting, financial accountability, and strategic financial leadership to enhance principals’ competencies and strengthen educational quality outcomes in public secondary schools.