Covid-19 Policy Responses and Implementation for a Contingency-Based Financial Planning for School Heads

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to generate a contingency-based financial planning activities for school heads to initiate based on an Input-Output (IO) Model addressing the needs of public schools to be financially prepared for emergencies like Covid-19 pandemic. Looking through the lens of Public Value Theory, the key features of existing policies from the central office during Covid-19 pandemic and the management practices of school heads in financial matters decision-making, were analyzed using a qualitative approach. In the analysis of data, frequency and percentage and thematic analysis were used. The results showed that only 32 out of 94 memoranda discussed about financial related management and these manifest features on funding for pedagogy and instruction, support for teachers, support for learners, subsidies for private schools, and Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) related matters. Management practices employed by the school heads were the application of management approaches, constant organizational communication, financial management webinars participation, budget re-alignment through revising annual procurement plan, prioritizing expenses, and perspective on contingency fund. The contingency-based financial planning activities as reflected in the matrix are proposed activities to be adapted not only by the school heads but most especially to be considered by the central office in crafting a uniform and future-oriented policies based on data-driven insights. Also, this is a good reflection for the development of new methodology in responding to this problem in the conduct of research study like this.