Parent involvement is key to the success of the school governing body elections currently underway. School governing bodies are elected every three years and the current election period ends on 31 March.
According to the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (Fedsas) parents have a moral obligation to take part in school governing body elections.
“Parents and legal guardians of children in public schools can become involved in two ways,” says Dr Jaco Deacon, Deputy CEO of Fedsas. “One is to be eligible for election through a nomination procedure. The second is that parents simply have to vote.”
Deacon says some schools have already elected new governing bodies, while others still struggle to reach a quorum or consensus.
“At least 15% (10% in the Western Cape) of parents who are eligible to vote have to attend the nomination and election meeting in order for the election to be valid,” he points out.
With state interference becoming an increasingly bigger threat, parents simply cannot afford not to vote.
“We often hear complaints of parents who do not want to send their children to schools in their immediate community because of a lack of quality education,” Deacon says.
“But public schools belong to school communities. Parents and role-players have to become involved if the school in their community is not performing at an acceptable level.”
With regard to newly elected governing bodies, Fedsas will launch a countrywide training programme in the second term.
“The organisation is also the most comprehensive source of information, resources and legal expertise regarding school governance,” Deacon says.
“New governing body members will be supported in any way possible to ensure that they are equipped for this important duty.”
