MEC meets with new SGB members
On June 9, Mhaule met with SGB members of Ehlanzeni and Bohlabela districts at the fully packed Church on the Hill outside Mbombela.
MBOMBELA – The MEC for education, Ms Reginah Mhaule recently welcomed and thanked the thousands newly elected members of school governing bodies (SGB) in the province.
On June 9, Mhaule met with SGB members of Ehlanzeni and Bohlabela districts at the fully packed Church on the Hill outside Mbombela. She also saw SGB members of Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts at the Pienaarsdam in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality on June 18.
These encounters marked the inaugural meetings after being elected during SGB elections in March 2015 where they were entrusted with overseeing the governance of schools together with their principals in keeping to the imperatives of the South African Schools Act No 84 of 1996.
“I am confident that the future of our province looks bright now that you (SGB) are at the helm of governance of our
1 757 schools,” she said. Mhaule further explained that the Department of Education in the province was committed to work with stakeholders to promote effective teaching and learning through good governance, capable management and proficient leadership.
Mhaule also spoke at length on the challenges faced by schools which included the disruptions of teaching and learning during service delivery protests, the rate of violence, vandalism of school and teenage property, the higher level of dropouts, gangsterism and drug trafficking.
She also stated that the department was concerned about the low intake of maths and science subjects by learners and the reluctance to teach history in some schools.Mr Elphus Maseko, the president of the SGB members in the country said they were ready to make schools a better and safer place for every child.
He added that training for the newly elected members would follow soon, adding that the newly launched SGB guide would assist the members to understand their roles and responsibilities and challenges that they would have to confront in the execution of their duties.
“SGB in the country as a whole are expected to be more conversant on how to govern in schools with help of the recently launched book, the Comprehensive Guide to Effective and Efficient SGB published by the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB).
“The guide aims to make SGB members easily comprehend the prescripts of the South African Schools Act as well as providing tips on addressing challenges at school. The book also differentiate roles between management and the governing of a school,” he said.
