BUDGETING PRACTICES OF PRINCIPALS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

This study was necessitated by the growing concern by education stakeholders in Nigeria over the poor budgetary planning and implementation of the principals of Nigeria secondary schools. The study utilized qualitative approach with questionnaire, checklist and documentation as instruments for data collection. Simple random sampling procedure was used in drawing 689 principals and 51 account supervisors from a total population of 1093 principals and 79 account supervisors. The study answered four research questions and tested four null hypotheses. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study showed that principals follow the budget guideline specifications in planning and implementing budget, but do not buy science equipment, maintain school vehicles, buildings and furniture, they do not organize workshops, seminars and conferences, and do not defend budget with their bursars. Based on the above findings, it was recommended among others, that Nigerian principals should work cooperatively with their staff. State governments should equip the principals with adequate fund to maintain buildings, furniture and school vehicles