They are touted as one of the largest democratic voting processes in South Africa after general and local government elections.
School governing body (SGB) elections take place every three years and officials estimated that about 23000 public schools participated this year to elect about 250000 members‚ including parents and pupils.
The Department of Basic Education said 94% of schools in South Africa had completed its school governing body elections by the close of voting in March.
Many hiccups‚ though‚ occurred in the Eastern Cape where‚ among other things‚ officials staged a ‘’go slow’’ demanding laptops and cellphones.
These details emerged when the department made presentations to Parliament.
SGBs are critical to the smooth functioning of schools. They assist in determining school budgets and fees‚ code of conduct and staff appointments.
On Wednesday‚ education spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said this year’s elections had gone well — at the end of voting in 2012 only 75% of schools had elected their SGB.
Deputy minister Enver Surty was delighted by the successful process which ensures that ‘’education is elevated to society’’.
The presentation also highlighted that the Eastern Cape is yet to elect 922 SGBs.
But Eastern Cape education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said the province had the second-highest number of schools in the country with more than 5500‚ and many pupils and parents lived up to 20km away from their nearest schools.
“Transport is a big problem for our parents because some of our schools are extremely rural‚’’ said Pulumani.
“As for the demand for laptops — this was mainly a complaint from administrators at the head office…But this was not an issue.’’
National Association of School Governing Bodies general secretary Matakanye Matakanya said many parents from rural and township schools struggled to understand their role in SGBs‚ its functions and how it was run.
’’They must interpret the school act‚ among other things‚ and even literate people struggle to understand it let alone those who are illiterate‚’’ said Matakanya‚ whose organisation assists SGBs.
Education expert Graeme Bloch said having an SGB was crucial.
“Without it the school lacks the ability to negotiate with government about school results and outcomes. It would also struggle to get internal issues‚ such as discipline‚ right‚’’ he said.
EC school board elections marred by ‘go slow’ over laptops
School governing body (SGB) elections take place every three years and officials estimated that about 23000 public schools participated this year to elect about 250000 members‚ including parents and pupils.
The Department of Basic Education said 94% of schools in South Africa had completed its school governing body elections by the close of voting in March.
Many hiccups‚ though‚ occurred in the Eastern Cape where‚ among other things‚ officials staged a ‘’go slow’’ demanding laptops and cellphones.
These details emerged when the department made presentations to Parliament.
SGBs are critical to the smooth functioning of schools. They assist in determining school budgets and fees‚ code of conduct and staff appointments.
On Wednesday‚ education spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said this year’s elections had gone well — at the end of voting in 2012 only 75% of schools had elected their SGB.
Deputy minister Enver Surty was delighted by the successful process which ensures that ‘’education is elevated to society’’.
The presentation also highlighted that the Eastern Cape is yet to elect 922 SGBs.
But Eastern Cape education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said the province had the second-highest number of schools in the country with more than 5500‚ and many pupils and parents lived up to 20km away from their nearest schools.
“Transport is a big problem for our parents because some of our schools are extremely rural‚’’ said Pulumani.
“As for the demand for laptops — this was mainly a complaint from administrators at the head office…But this was not an issue.’’
National Association of School Governing Bodies general secretary Matakanye Matakanya said many parents from rural and township schools struggled to understand their role in SGBs‚ its functions and how it was run.
’’They must interpret the school act‚ among other things‚ and even literate people struggle to understand it let alone those who are illiterate‚’’ said Matakanya‚ whose organisation assists SGBs.
Education expert Graeme Bloch said having an SGB was crucial.
“Without it the school lacks the ability to negotiate with government about school results and outcomes. It would also struggle to get internal issues‚ such as discipline‚ right‚’’ he said.
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