The month of March is here and the highly anticipated School Governing Body (SGB) elections are a key focus this month for the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The possibility of a low turnout and participation, however, is a concern.
Participating in these elections is highly emphasized due to the fact that the department’s research and statistics from previous SGB elections indicate that participation lingers around the 40% mark.
While launching the SGB elections last month, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, said that by law, SGBs are the backbone of the school communities. She said they ensure that schools are not merely institutions of learning, but beacons of hope, character and community spirit.
Speaking to The Curriculum, Bafana Nkosi, an SGB Chairperson at Siphethu Primary School in Daveyton, said he has been serving as an SGB member at the school for a long-time because of his good work ethic and also because parents do not want to take part in the SGB.
“The duties of SGB members require one to be passionate about the success of the learners and the school. Many parents are discouraged by the notion that we are not getting paid,” Nkosi said.
According to Elijah Mhlanga, the spokesperson for the DBE, SGBs are established in terms of the South African Schools Act of 1996. He says parents are aware of the importance of participating in SGBs but that unfortunately, the low turnout also applies to national elections generally and it is a matter that the whole country needs to address.
“As for SGBs, some parents are not able to make it because of the time in the day, there are other commitments they have to fulfil elsewhere and indeed others are unemployed or far away from where their children are. There are many who don’t participate because they say SGBs don’t pay. The awareness is there but socio-economic factors have an impact on the participation of people in the SGBs,” Mhlanga explained.
While highlighting the pros and cons of payments for SGBs, Nkosi said that passion is what thrives in this work and that although the introduction of payments may encourage more participation from parents, pure intentions to serve the school and ensure the success of learners will no longer be present as many will be merely doing it for the money and that compromises the integrity and purpose of the Governing Body.
“I believe that the department and schools are doing more than enough to raise awareness. Parents, especially the younger generation simply don’t want to participate”, Nkosi added.
Education departments across all provinces in the country have officially launched SGB elections, urging participation. At Gauteng’s official launch, Matome Chiloane, the province’s Education and Youth Development MEC, encouraged parents and guardians to play their part in ensuring the successful governance of their children’s schools by voting. He also mentioned how the low participation is a concern.
Chiloane also reiterated that the Minister releases a gazette informing the public about the date for the elections, and she urges them to prepare and participate. The Department hosts regular meetings with School Governing Body associations who are the leaders of governors to explain to them their responsibility.