<b>Determinants of Compliance with Public Procurement Laws and Regulations in Public Secondary Schools in Kabwe District, Zambia</b>

Abstract

Public procurement systems are governed by laws and regulations designed to promote transparency, accountability, and value for money in the use of public resources. Despite these frameworks, compliance challenges remain prevalent in many public institutions. This study examined the determinants of compliance with public procurement laws in public secondary schools in Kabwe District, Zambia. Specifically, the study examined the influence of awareness, professionalism, and ethical conduct on compliance with procurement laws and regulations. A quantitative research design was employed, and data was collected using structured questionnaires administered to 122 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. The respondents included head teachers, deputy head teachers, procurement officers, school accountants, heads of department, and Parent Teacher Association representatives from selected public secondary schools. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, and hypotheses were tested using the one-sample chi-square test at 5% level of significance. The findings revealed that awareness alone did not have a statistically significant influence on compliance. In contrast, professionalism and ethical conduct demonstrated a statistically significant positive influence on compliance with public procurement laws and regulations. The study contributes to the understanding of procurement compliance by demonstrating that professional competence and ethical behavior are critical determinants of compliance in public sector institutions. It recommends strengthening professional training, certification, and ethical oversight mechanisms within the education sector to improve compliance with procurement regulations.