WESTERN Cape Education Department will hold School Governing Bodies (SGB) elections next month

Many people are still unaware of the importance of these bodies.

According to Western Cape Minister of Education Donald Grant, strong governing bodies are one of the essential partners in their planned improvement of educational outcomes in the province.

“A school’s governing body represents all non-teaching staff as well as parents and learners.”

Before 1994, educators, learners, parents and communities were excluded from school governance but with the establishment of the South African Schools Act of 1996, all public schools now have to have an SGB elected by members of the school community.

The South African Schools Act gave parents, teachers and high school students the right to form SGBs and to influence policies around issues like language, religious instruction, school fees, and a code of conduct for learners.

They decide what the language of instruction will be, whether it’s a Christian or Muslim or sectarian school, what kind of uniform is allowed, school fees and plenty more.

Most people think the school principal and staff decide these things, but it’s actually the SGB.

When People’s Post asked people on the street what they thought GBs were for, most didn’t even know that every public school had to have one.

Another important role of the SGB is to interview and nominate educators and principals for appointment to the school.

Kaashif Effendi, who serves on the Lavender Hill High SGB and is also the bursar, says they occasionally deal with disciplinary action.

“If there are any disputes between learners, or any other disciplinary problems, we set up meetings and try and get to the bottom of the problem to find a fair solution.”

At Lavender Hill High the SGB consists of the principal, deputy principals, chief financial officer, an administrative person, non-educator (cleaner) and at least seven parents.

“Given these responsibilities, it is important that school communities take the up-coming elections seriously,” says Grant.

The election is the biggest in the country, after local and national government elections.

The process is due to start from Thursday 1 March and should be completed by the end of the first term on Friday 23 March.

Schools all over the Western Cape have nominated people, therefore the elections can go ahead.

Training for the newly elected members will take place between April and June.

SGB members serve a three-year term and learners a year.

“I urge all members of the school community to get involved in the SGB elections by either making themselves available to serve on the SGB or by nominating and voting for the most suitable candidates.

“If we are to improve our education, we need to ensure that school communities select the best possible candidates,” Grant concluded.