Stakeholders’ perceptions on procurement practices in Sumbawanga municipality public primary schools in Tanzania

This study examined the stakeholders’ perceptions on procurement practices in Sumbawanga Municipality Public Primary Schools (PPSs) in Tanzania. The study was guided by three research objectives: to examine how school administrators manage procurement practices in Sumbawanga Municipality PPSs; to explore stakeholders’ perceptions on awareness of school administrators on procurement management in Sumbawanga Municipality PPSs and investigating stakeholders’ involvement in PPSs procurement processes in Sumbawanga Municipality. The study employed mixed research approaches and multiple embedded case study design. The sample for study involved 81 respondents which comprised three education officers, six head teachers, 24 school committee members, 24 teachers and 24 parents. The interview, document review, observation and questionnaire were used for data collection. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 assisted the analysis of quantitative data from which frequencies and percentages were obtained and presented in tables and figures. The findings revealed that, Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP) procurement guidelines are violated in many PPSs. In addition, the study observed that, all schools procure goods and services by using local shopping method at the expense of other purchasing methods. Head teachers have insufficient knowledge and skills on financial management and involvement of stakeholders in procurement practices is low which hinder the entire process to abide to good governance principles. Basing on findings the study concludes that, lack of supervisory body and training on procurement and financial management in PPSs have negative influence on the effectiveness of procurement. In addition, poor participation of key stakeholders lowers morale on social and financial contributions of school affairs. The study recommends that, training on PEDP procurement guidelines and financial management to head teachers and school committee members is very important to empower them with some skills in order to manage procurement in PPSs effectively. The government through the Sumbawanga Municipal Council should establish a new department to oversee, evaluate and audit procurement practices in PPPs in order to counter check fraud and embezzlement and those culprits who abuse of school funds should be held accountable.