Dissertation (MA Education)Decentralization of education sector aimed to establish a comprehensive management and administrative system at regions, districts, community and institutional level. Therefore, this study explored the effectiveness of financial management in ward-based community secondary schools in Ukerewe District of Tanzania. It employed a descriptive research design, whereby both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. A sample of 45 respondents, which comprised five heads of schools, 30 secondary school teachers, five acting bursars, four chairpersons of school boards and one district secondary education officer were used. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaires and documentary review. Qualitative data were subjected to content and thematic analysis and findings are presented through descriptions and quotations, and quantitative data were analysed manually and the findings are presented through frequencies and percentages. The study revealed that heads of secondary school, specifically in WBCSSs, currently generate financial resources through parents’ levies, Government allocations, school economic activities and through donations. It was found that heads of schools were not trained on financial management and had limited autonomy in using of financial resources in their schools. Financial management in ward-based community secondary schools was affected by various factors such as lack of funds, lack of financial training, absence of professional bursars, late disbursement of funds, lack of authority and misuse of schools funds. It is concluded that for the effectiveness of financial management in ward-based community secondary schools, stakeholders should be given better training. A policy recommendation calls for adopting financial management as one of the criteria for appointing heads of secondary schools, and attending regular workshops on financial management.