2025
Vol. 13, No. 1
Expenditure management plays a critical role in determining the quality of service delivery in public schools, particularly in regions facing resource constraints. This study examined the influence of expenditure management on service delivery in public schools within Esan West Local Government Area (L.G.A) of Edo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design, sampling 140 teachers and administrative staff across selected public schools. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The regression results revealed that budgeting practices (β = 0.45, p < 0.05), expenditure prioritization (β = 0.38, p < 0.05), and financial accountability (β = 0.52, p < 0.05) significantly influence service delivery in public schools. Financial accountability was identified as the most critical determinant, highlighting the importance of transparent fund management, timely salary payments, and audit compliance in enhancing teacher motivation, retention, and overall educational quality. The combined effect of the three expenditure management practices explained 68% of the variation in service delivery (R² = 0.68). These findings underscore that structured budgeting, strategic expenditure allocation, and robust accountability mechanisms are essential for improving the availability of learning materials, infrastructure, and teacher performance. The study recommends adopting participatory budgeting, prioritizing critical expenditures, strengthening financial accountability, and building administrative capacity to optimize resource utilization and enhance educational outcomes.