Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
13 February 2024 | 12:00 CAT
2 min read

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga urges all stakeholders to participate in the upcoming 2024 School Governing Body (SGB) Elections. The campaign was launched in Pretoria, emphasizing the Department’s commitment to integrity.

Elections are mandated every three years and will be held from March 1st to 31st, 2024, in all public schools.

Minister Motshekga highlights the importance of SGBs in school governance and encourages broad participation to ensure effective representation and inclusivity. She calls on eligible individuals to exercise their democratic rights and elect representatives who will advocate for students and the community.

The Chairperson of the Parents Association of KZN outlined the role of the School Governing Body (SGB), serving as both a statutory body and a crucial entity responsible for the effective functioning of schools. “While there may be debate surrounding the extent of the government’s reliance on SGBs for school functionality, it is mandated by law and operationalized accordingly,” he told Radio Islam.

According to Ganie, the governing bodies have a lot of power, constituting different components. “While we largely concentrate on the parents because they are the majority of the body that gets elected, it is important to remember that the school’s principal is an automatic member, and the teachers themselves have representation, so they will also go into the election and select members of their constituency to represent them for the next 3 years. You also get the non-educator reps, such as the drivers, security, etc.; they will vote for people to represent their concerns. Then, learner reps are elected and will sit on the governing body. So, it is a body that comprises everyone involved in the school system to manage funds, infrastructure, and school operations and oversee teaching and learning,” he said.

Ganie pointed out that the BELA Bill, currently under review, has sparked debate over its proposed restrictions on School Governing Bodies (SGBs).

According to critics, one contentious aspect requires SGBs to submit school language policies for approval, raising concerns about autonomy. Proponents argue it will enhance consistency, while critics fear it undermines local decision-making. Discussions aim to find a balance between central oversight and SGB autonomy to improve the education system.

Ganie highlighted pressing challenges that require attention, notably the prevalent culture of non-payment of school fees in many government schools.

“This lack of fee payments, which schools heavily rely on for functioning, is alarming, with some public schools barely receiving 30 to 40% of their fees. The issue of non-payment is compounded by various factors, including affordability concerns exacerbated by high unemployment rates in the country. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Education also faces insufficient funding. Thus we have a shortage of resources and educators. As a result, schools struggle to undertake crucial infrastructure developments and repairs, primarily due to financial constraints,” he said.

Ganie believes addressing these financial issues is paramount to improving the overall educational landscape.

Throughout this month, the Department of Basic Education has indicated it will provide comprehensive information on the electoral process, nomination procedures, and important dates related to the upcoming School Governing Body (SGB) elections.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Mr Vee Gani, the Chairperson of the Parents Association of KZN, here.