Parents key to school success, says Motshekga
PARENT participation in school governing bodies is vital, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says
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"Schools with effective and efficient SGB members secure greater success than those with limited parental and community involvement."
Addressing the media in Pretoria, Motshekga, pictured, announced that the 2012 school governing body elections would be held from March 1 to 31.
She said SGBs played a critical role in the daily running of schools, especially in fighting racism, xenophobia, sexism and other forms of discrimination and intolerance.
"Creative and resourceful SGBs play a fundamental role in mobilising scarce resources for education. I call on all parents with children of school-going age to take part in the coming SGB elections."
Parents or guardians of children at school, teachers, pupils in Grade 8 or higher and other school staff members were eligible to be nominated and elected to a SGB. The principal was always a member of the committee by virtue of his-her official capacity.
People with no children at a school could also serve on a SGB, but had no voting rights.
Motshekga said communities should use people with expertise in areas that benefited the SGB and school.
"Treating the SGB elections as a priority will help us in further improving the performance and passes we get. A careful selection of parents is of paramount importance."
Basic Education director-general Bobby Soobrayan said the size of the school determined the size of the SGB.
"Each province has a schedule determining the number of members in each component of the SGB," he said.
An SGB member's term could not exceed three years. For pupil members, the term of office was one year. Pupils were allowed to stand for re-election once the one-year period had lapsed.
Deputy Education Minister Enver Surty said feedback from provinces indicated that about 30% of SGBs were not functioning the way they should.
"There is a close correlation between the performance of a school and its SGB. It's important to develop capacity among the bodies. We are going to monitor the performance of these bodies, without any doubt.
"Soon, we will be distributing 54 million books to learners. We want the SGBs to help ensure that the books are not only received, but used in the learning process. Our emphasis is on improving literacy and numeracy."
The Independent Electoral Commission would monitor the SGB elections in all provinces and help generate a report of the process. National guidelines for SGB elections, training manuals and pamphlets had been developed ahead of the polls.
They were drawn up in a bid to bring uniformity in the system across all provinces. The department said many parents and community members were often reluctant to serve on SGBs because they felt it would be time consuming. - Sapa
Livelifemolefe
My failure is your success while my success is your failure.You failed Engie, and your failure failled me.
But you earn through your failure, while my children's future is uncertain.
Now you want to bring me into the fray.
Call all the academics, rather.
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Honesty
I serve more than three years on the committee because parents are scared to be elected and they forget that we are there for the sake of our children. I learn a lot from the committee and it is very challenged i didnt know one day i will meet the directors of all educational department from our districtSo i plea to all parents should attend those votes that will take place from the 1st to the 31st remember it for our children sake
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maneater
the question still stand why do we still have children studying under a tree and children swimming across a dangerous river to get to school? no matter how strong is the SGB if there is no proper rescorces the chances of success are slim. so get your house in order and you will see the results honorable minister.Report Abuse
Papage
I still think that SGB members should be paid, some of them are doing great job, even though others are not taken so serious by those who think they are more educated than them. Just like those CPF members, they must be paid, our Government is preaching job creation, but on the other hand inviting volunteerism, what is wrong with you people, Angy?Report Abuse
cornelius
Oh yes ??? Then why take away the right sof the SGB's to appoint teachers ? Quick to place responsibilities on them. This Minister is a dismal failure. Her attempts to hide the failure of education with contrived matric results is atrocious and dishonest. This country needs people who can tackle a challenge head on, not hide behind lies.Report Abuse
langman
Hei wena Engie sefebe ke wena , o sentse education ya bana ba rena and nou o tlo bolela masepa moReport Abuse
dre10
can somebody please fix this woman. This is the uglies woman on televison. How do u get on top of her?Report Abuse
JUBJUB
langmanHei wena Engie sefebe ke wena , o sentse education ya bana ba rena and nou o tlo bolela masepa mo
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lmao
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Mhungumbye
What about we Contract teachers. When are we going to be permanently employed. 5 years as contract worker is working against my future cause I won't have any pension funds till i got something permanent. thank them while you are also doing something for us, pleaseReport Abuse