ERIC MATOME KGOMO
Nkangala: The MEC for Education, Bonakele Majuba, has urged all parents and guardians of children of school going age to participate in the election of School Governing Bodies (SGB), which is currently taking place.
The MEC encouraged parents and guardians to elect eligible candidates to the structure or stand to be elected themselves.
Furthermore, Majuba requested parents who are professionals to agree to be co-opted to the SGB in order to utilize their professional skills to add value to the governance of schools within the province.
“I invite parents and guardians of children enrolled in schools within the province to voluntarily participate by electing other parents or guardians or stand to be elected themselves in the election of SGB. Equally, I invite professionals in our communities to volunteer to be co-opted to the SGBs,” he said.
The process of electing SGB has commenced in the province on Monday 1 March 2021 and is expected to be completed by Friday, 30 April 2021 in all public schools.
SGB elections plays a critical role in daily running of the schools and take place after a three years cycle. The elections were previously held in March 2018, in line with the prescripts of the South African Schools Act number 84 of 1996.
According to Majuba, the elections are held under the theme: “Re-imagining School Governance under complex conditions”.
The MEC stated that SGBs are accountable to the school community and are tasked with ensuring that the governance of schools is managed effectively and efficiently at all times.
“The SGBs are expected to further improve the quality of education, ensure good governance, ensure that schools serve the interests of the community and meet expectations of parents. They also play a vital role on assistance in spreading the cost of education across users and society and combatting racism, sexism and all other forms of discrimination and intolerance,” he said.
Majuba stressed that the process of electing SGB must be done in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner with integrity and in the best interest of the school community.
“This must be done in full compliance to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols,” stated Majuba.
He indicated that SGBs are statutory bodies and they stand in a position of trust on behalf of the school and the community.
“I also wish to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all members of the SGBs, who have diligently served during the current term which is coming to an end as I also wish them well in their new areas of influence,” explained Majuba.
The MEC said the department will capacitate and support the newly elected members of the SGB, working side by side with the Associations of School Governing Bodies (ASGB) to create a favourable environment for them to render their functions.
