Struggles From Within: Uncovering the Experiences of School Heads in Handling Maintenance Operations and Other Expenses

This study explored the lived experiences of public school heads in managing Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) in selected schools in Alabel I District, Philippines. Employing a qualitative multiple-case study design, the research involved five purposively selected school heads with substantial experience in school financial management. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological approach complemented by cross-case analysis to identify shared patterns and context-specific experiences. The findings revealed that school heads face persistent financial and administrative challenges, including inadequate MOOE allocations, restrictive budget utilization policies, bureaucratic procurement procedures, emergency expenditures, and limited flexibility in implementing the Annual Implementation Plan. These constraints frequently required difficult prioritization decisions and, in some instances, personal financial sacrifices to sustain essential school operations. To address these challenges, participants adopted adaptive management strategies such as needs-based budgeting, participatory planning, stakeholder engagement, community resource mobilization, collaborative leadership, and strategic financial realignment. Across cases, transparency, accountability, and strong partnerships emerged as critical enablers of effective financial governance. Participants likewise emphasized the need for policy reforms that support more responsive budgeting, streamlined financial processes, and stronger institutional support for school leaders. The study concludes that effective MOOE management extends beyond regulatory compliance and requires resilient, innovative, and collaborative leadership capable of responding to dynamic school contexts. The findings contribute to the literature on educational leadership and school financial management by highlighting the importance of flexible fiscal policies, digital financial management systems, participatory governance, and context-sensitive resource allocation. These insights provide practical implications for policymakers, education administrators, and school leaders seeking to strengthen financial governance and improve the sustainability and quality of public education, particularly in resource-constrained and geographically isolated schools.