Resource Management in Special Education Centres in Yobe State: An Administrative Perspective

This study examines resource management practices in special education centres in Yobe State, North East Nigeria, focusing on the administrative processes governing the acquisition, deployment, and maintenance of human, material, and financial resources. Effective resource management is a prerequisite for quality special education, yet in contexts of severe resource scarcity such as Yobe State, administrative decisions about resource prioritisation have profound and direct consequences for student access and service quality. Using a qualitative case study approach, the study examines resource management practices across four special education centres in Damaturu, conducting in-depth interviews with centre administrators, state education officials, and teachers. Document reviews of resource inventories, budget allocations, and procurement records supplement interview data. Thematic analysis is applied to identify patterns, challenges, and adaptive strategies in resource management. The study examines how administrators navigate competing priorities, manage donor-funded resources, and maintain service continuity in an environment of extreme resource unpredictability. Findings are expected to reveal improvised and informal resource management practices, significant reliance on non-government sources for materials, and limited administrative training in resource planning. Recommendations include developing a resource management training module for special education centre administrators in Yobe State and establishing a minimum resource entitlement standard for special education centres in humanitarian contexts. Keywords: resource management, special education centres, Yobe State, administration, humanitarian context.