Can an organization fully function without enough resources? It is difficult to disregard this aspect since, as much how brilliant the proposed program, project, or activity is, it will always be the finances that will make it happen. In this case, Fiscal Management is the key to ensure a successful program. In education, it is important to have proper fiscal management in order to ensure the appropriateness of the organization’s spending and to make changes if necessary, which helps minimize budgeting complexity.
Fiscal Management in Education ensures that a school or an academic organization has funds to fulfil its goals and objectives, and that these funds are utilized for which they were intended to be employed. Allocations and expenditures of resources should be justified in terms of their expected impact on teaching and learning. For example, many students who chose Modular learning modality has phones or laptops but do not have access to the internet. Instead of printing numerous pages of modules for a large number of students, flash drives consisting of the modules and activity sheets of students can be provided. It does not just save money but also, it is efficient for it saves time. The fiscal management system should employ existing resources in the effective and efficient ways to meet students’ educational needs. Although, thorough planning and analysis should be employed before releasing any funds.
In the midst of increasing problems in our society brought about by COVID 19 and its variants, these are some of the challenges, ways, and means to address Fiscal Management of Education and its effect on operation, governance, instruction and curriculum:
Internet connectivity has become a necessity, and a big problem in teaching and learning amidst pandemic. As COVID 19 arises, one of the major concerns of the Education Sector is the sudden shift of classes from Face to Face to Distance Learning. With that being said, internet connectivity has become a major issue amongst teachers and students. In many schools, most of the students are scholars who are not paying even a single centavo for their tuition fee. Many pursue their studies because of that privilege. However, because of the COVID 19, students thought of stopping since they do not have enough resources such as laptops, internet, phone, etc. To address that, students, together with their guardians, were allowed to choose the learning delivery modalities depending on their available resources. Those who have gadgets and internet connectivity were trained to use the Online Distance Learning Modality, while for those who do not have these resources may choose Modular Distance Learning. Series of webinars were also conducted to ensure that effective delivery of instruction will be achieved amidst pandemic.
COVID-19 has accelerated the number of private schools that are closing amid financial pressure and dwindling enrolment. In Philippine Women’s University for example, a huge drop in enrolment rate hits. A total of 310 College students only remained as regular paying students which directly affects the school operation, governance, instruction and curriculum. To address this, the school administration, marketing team, coordinators, instructors, and some other needed and concerned personnel collaborated. “No top-up” in tuition fee are implemented. Procurement for school’s advertisement such as banners, flyers, motorcade and video advertisement, showcasing the “Successful Philwomenians” are provided. Vouchers for students who can bring an aspiring student to the school are also given.
Threat of spreading the virus during on-site schedules. Ensuring the safety of teachers, school personnel, and students who are going to school to work, to process their documents or to settle their payments also became a challenge. To address the risk of spreading the COVID 19 Virus, procurement of face mask, alcohol, hand sanitizers, body temperature, scanner, soap, foot bath, disinfectants, and construction of hand washing facilities were prioritized using the school funds.
A high-quality education plays an important role in producing productive citizens in the country. Likewise, it necessitates enough resources to function. Given the limited resources available and the purpose to provide high-quality learning experiences to all students, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources is critical to success. Indeed, no pandemic can hinder education for fiscal management is also about involving parents, community members, and stakeholders. Collaborations between these people open more opportunities for programs and projects to be implemented. Tapping them may also help the organization whenever there are some scarcity with fiscal and human resources.
By: Lyka Eunice O. Magdalera | Teacher I | Bataan National High School
