THE EFFECTS OF CENTRALIZED PROCUREMENT IN THE SECOND CYCLE INSTITUTIONS (A CASE STUDY OF NEW JUABENG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate how the centralization of procurement practices impacts secondcycle educational institutions, with a specific focus on New Juaben Senior High School. In simpler terms, it seeks to understand how the way they buy goods and services affects this particular school. The main objectives of the study are twofold: first, to delve into the processes involved in centralized procurement at New Juaben Senior High School, essentially, how they go about purchasing things in a centralized manner. Second, to explore the benefits or advantages that this approach offers to the school. To conduct this research, the researchers used a method called a descriptive survey study design, which essentially involves gathering information through surveys and describing the findings. They involved a total of 40 individuals from the school, with 20 of them chosen purposefully as part of a sample. This smaller group was selected deliberately for specific reasons. Data collection was carried out by giving these individuals questionnaires to fill out, a common way of collecting information, and the researchers used a statistical software package called SPSS version 21 to help analyze the data, making sense of the information they gathered from the surveys. The findings of the study reveal that centralized procurement has several benefits for the organization. These advantages include reducing transaction costs, obtaining lower prices for items, having better control over purchasing policies and procedures, reducing opportunities for corruption, and establishing a standardized procurement process. However, the research alsox uncovered challenges associated with the introduction of centralized procurement in New Juaben Senior High School. These challenges encompass delays in acquiring requested items, disparities between requested and procured items, lower quality items, and additional costs due to lengthy bureaucratic processes associated with national procurement. To address these challenges, it is recommended that the agency responsible for procuring items for senior high schools ensure timely contracts with suppliers and prompt payments. This will help ensure that items are supplied to schools in a timely manner, thereby preventing shortages of essential items in senior high schools. In summary, this research sheds light on the benefits and challenges of centralized procurement at New Juaben Senior High School. While centralized procurement offers advantages like cost reduction and improved control, it also comes with hurdles such as delays and quality issues. Implementing timely contracts and payments can help mitigate these challenges, ensuring that senior high schools have a consistent supply of necessary items.