Management of school Resources for goal attainment in public junior Secondary schools in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

ABSTRACT: This study investigated how the management of school resources contributes to goal attainment in public junior secondary schools within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State. The population comprised 2,566 teachers and 41 administrators drawn from 41 public junior secondary schools. Using purposive sampling, 300 teachers and all 41 administrators participated in the study. A structured questionnaire titled “Managing School Resources for Goal Attainment Questionnaire (MSRGAQ)” was developed and validated by experts in educational management and measurement and evaluation, with a reliability coefficient established through pilot testing. The study was guided by three research questions and corresponding null hypotheses, tested using t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that effective management of human resources—through recruitment, supervision, training, and motivation-significantly enhances goal attainment in schools. Similarly, material resources such as instructional materials, classroom space, and laboratory facilities were rated highly effective in promoting teaching and learning outcomes. Financial resources, including budgeting, timely release of funds, transparent accounting, and diversified income sources, were also found to play a vital role in achieving school objectives. The study concluded that resource management is central to the success of public junior secondary schools and recommended that stakeholders strengthen policies and practices on teacher development, material provision and maintenance, and financial accountability to ensure sustained educational effectiveness. KEYWORDS: Human resources, Material resources, Financial resources, Goal attainment, Public junior secondary schools, Port Harcourt Metropolis.