[lg policy] Western Cape parents urged to participate in school governing body elections

[Harold Schiffman]

 Western Cape parents urged to participate in school governing body
elections 2018-02-21 19:17

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Cape Town – Tired of the language policy at your child's school? Fed up
with "outdated" hair rules? Parents are about to get their chance to change
the rules from the inside with school governing body elections coming up in
March.

"All parents and legal guardians with children registered at the school are
eligible for election," said Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schäfer, in
the run-up to the elections. All schools across the country are expected to
hold the elections.

The South African Schools Act (SASA) gives governing bodies considerable
powers to govern schools.

"We therefore urge parents to participate fully in the nomination and
election of members to ensure that the school serves the best interests of
their children," said Schäfer.

According to SASA, the responsibilities of the governing body include:

   - Deciding on an admissions policy for the school;
   - Deciding on the language policy of the school;
   - Deciding on what religious practices will be followed at the school;
   - Formulating the school's constitution and mission statement;
   - Formulating the code of conduct for pupils which sets out disciplinary
   procedures;
   - Budget and financial management;
   - Recommending staff appointments; and
   - Supporting the principal, teachers and other staff.

No formal qualifications are required, but skills such as bookkeeping,
accounting and legal services, plus a passion for education are recommended.

The term of office is three years.

Parents nominate and elect governing body members at a parents' meeting
called by the school for the elections, explained Schäfer.

Parents complete a nomination form which they submit to the school. A
nomination must be seconded by another parent and the nominee must accept
the nomination before the forms are submitted to the school.

Parents may seek nomination, but not nominate themselves. Parents must
submit nominations at least seven days before the election meeting.

Teachers, non-teaching staff and pupils nominate and elect members at
similar meetings. Schools will provide school communities with all relevant
information.

A quorum of 10% is required for the nomination and election meeting – for
example, at least 50 parents must attend if the school has 500 parents on
its admissions register.
*Read more on:   * *cape town
<https://www.news24.com/Tags/Places/cape_town>*  |  *education
<https://www.news24.com/Tags/Topics/education>*


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 Harold F. Schiffman

Professor Emeritus of
 Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone:  (215) 898-7475
Fax:  (215) 573-2138

Email:  haroldfs at gmail.com
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

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