Public
School Finance and Financial Management in the Maldives: Policies, Leadership,
and Budgetary Practices examines the structure, policies, and practices that
shape financial management in Maldivian public schools. The book provides an
in-depth analysis of how education financing is organized within a centralized
governance system and how financial policies influence school leadership,
budgeting processes, and resource utilization.
The book begins by outlining the
national policy framework governing public school finance in the Maldives,
highlighting the dominant role of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of
Finance in budget planning, allocation, and oversight. It discusses the
mechanisms of student-based funding, autonomous and non-autonomous budgeting
systems, and the regulatory requirements that guide expenditure, procurement,
and financial accountability in schools.
A significant focus of the book is
on school leadership and financial management. It explores the roles and
responsibilities of school principals and budget officers, emphasizing the
challenges they face in balancing instructional priorities with financial
compliance. The book addresses issues related to financial adequacy, limited
autonomy, and capacity gaps in financial management skills among school
leaders, and how these factors affect school effectiveness.
The book further analyzes budgetary
practices, including budget planning, monitoring, review, and control, and
examines their implications for professional development, teaching quality, and
student learning outcomes. It also considers alternative funding sources such
as school-based fundraising and partnerships, and evaluates their contribution
to financial sustainability.
