Pretoria - It's all systems go for the School Governing Body elections, which will see parents, teachers and learners in over 24 000 public schools elect candidates who will ensure their schools run efficiently.
The elections, scheduled for 1 - 31 March 2012, will see education stakeholders, including community members, electing new representatives of the SGBs across the country, who will continue the work of promoting school excellence.
During a recent meeting between provincial SGB co-ordinators, officials from the Department of Basic Education and the Independent Electoral Commission to finalise preparations for the elections, they gave the assurance that preparations for the elections were on track, with training of election officials being completed in several provinces.
Wide-reaching advocacy campaigns have also been organised.
People who may serve on SGBs include parents, educators, non-teaching staff, learners at Grade 8 and higher and community members.
The term of office is one year for learners and no more than three years for all other members. In addition, school principals are automatic members of the SGB.
Acting Deputy Director-General of Teachers, Education Human Resources and Institutional Development at the Basic Education Department, Themba Kojana, said it was of utmost importance that SGB elections ran smoothly.
"Education is an apex priority of government and ensuring that parents participate in their children's education is critical if we are to achieve any success," Kojana said at the meeting.
Chief Director at the Department of Basic Education, Dr Francis Nzama stressed that a functional SGB was an essential component of a school that performs well.
"It is of utmost importance that we get parents involved and it is provincial officials who are at the forefront of this process and their hard work will make the difference in ensuring these elections are successful."
