As schools gear up for the School Governing Body elections next month, there is one in KwaZulu-Natal that is faced with challenges of disagreements between the province’s Department of Education and members of the SGB.
Muzi Mahlambi, who speaks on behalf of the department, told The Curriculum that an investigation was conducted against the principal following the SGB’s request.
“The issue of Merchiston Prep School is quite an interesting one because the same SGB wanted the department to investigate the principal for allegations of financial mismanagement and sexual harassment and the principal at some point was suspended,” Mahlambi said.
Another issue causing a rift between the department and the SGB is the governing body’s suspension. According to Mahlambi, an investigation with recommendations was made to the head of department to suspend the governing body and have an interim structure.
He, however, did not want to divulge into details of the accusations, saying there are litigations over the matter.
Meanwhile the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in KZN is calling on both the SGB and the department to put the needs of learners and teachers first.
“Right at the beginning of the year, the expectation is that there must be no chaos in schools, so that all learners can be exposed to quality teaching and learning,” says provincial SADTU Secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza.
“We understand that the SGB has been writing to the department about issues at the schools and claims there was no response from the department. If that is true, then it’s unfortunate because the department is expected to respond so issues can be dealt with timeously,” Caluza added.
The union is calling for transparency between the department and the SGB.
There is also a group of people, calling themselves “parents and friends of Merchiston” who have organized a peaceful march to the education department in Pietermaritzburg that will take place on Monday, 19 February 2024. They will be handing over a memorandum.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that the SGB elections will be held from 1 to 31 March 2024 in all public schools.
In her speech on Monday, 12 February 2024, Motshekga said that research has consistently shown that schools with active SGBs excel across various metrics, including academic performance, learner well-being and community engagement.
Motshekga also said schools with high SGB participation report an average 20% higher pass rate than those with lower engagement.
The Kzn Education Dept need to have the hearings and get on with it. This headmaster is a danger to a great institution.