Parents key to school success - minister

2012-01-30 19:22

Pretoria - Parent participation in school governing bodies (SGBs) is vital, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Monday.

"Schools with effective and efficient SGB members secure greater success than those with limited parental and community involvement."

Addressing reporters in Pretoria, Motshekga announced that the 2012 school governing body elections would be held from March 1 to 31.

"During that period parents, teachers, and learners in over 24 000 public schools will elect representatives across the country. Make yourself available for nomination, attend meetings, and participate in the elections."

She said SGBs played a critical role in the daily running of schools, especially in fighting racism, xenophobia, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and intolerance.

"Creative and resourceful SGBs play a fundamental role in mobilising scarce resources for education. I call upon all parents with children of school-going age to take part in the upcoming SGB elections. This is your chance as a parent and a member of the community to make a difference to your schools."

Parents or guardians of children at school, teachers, pupils in Grade 8 or higher, and other school staff members were eligible to be nominated and elected to a SGB.

The principal was always a member of the committee by virtue of his/her official capacity. People with no children at a school could also serve on a SGB, but had no voting rights.

Motshekga said communities should use people with expertise in areas that benefited the SGB and the school.

"Treating the SGB elections as a priority will help us in further improving the performance and passes we get. A careful selection of parents is of paramount importance."

Basic education director general Bobby Soobrayan said the size of the school determined the size of the SGB.

- SAPA