Good and bad of the system

THE school governing body of Cosmo City Secondary School 2 is a perfect example of how a school governing body ought to work.

The first people to arrive at the school each morning are members of the the SGB. They monitor that teachers and pupils are on time and start classes when they should.

SGB chairman Mohube Mokadi said: "The most important aspect of running the school is the teachers and the involvement of parents. We come here daily to ensure things work properly. The SGB also assists teachers where we can."

Mokadi said that respect between the SGB and the teachers was crucial.

"If they do not respect one another, the school will fail. The teachers and principal in my school have the same vision - to see our children succeed," he said.

Mokadi hoped to be re-elected so he can assist in improving the school's matric pass rate.

"Our SGB and the teachers want to ensure that our children get better results. I hope I am able to do that," Mokadi said.

Pupils at the school have been writing matric examinations since 2010. That year they got a 50.7% pass rate and last year they achieved 80.7%

And it seems there is a correlation between a functioning SGB and results at a school.

At neighbouring Cosmo City Secondary School 1, the SGB and the principal are at loggerheads over the running of the school. The school is one of the worst performing in Gauteng. In 2007, it achieved a 45% matric pass rate; in 2008, 46%; in 2009, 60%, in 2010, 48% and last year 57.9%. Overall, it achieved a 49.3% pass rate.

Former SGB chairman Shumani Thomoli blames unqualified teachers.

"The SGB is not involved in teaching," he said.

Last August, the school was placed under administration and the SGB was dissolved.