Question NW404 to the Minister of Basic Education
15 March 2024 - NW404
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) In view of the high incidence of lawlessness and violence in schools, such as at J G Meiring High School and Primrose Primary School, and considering the fact that provincial education departments are in the process of appointing school governing bodies, what are her department’s plans to ensure that the school governing bodies (SGBs) that will be elected will enhance the safety and security of the learners and teachers at schools across the Republic; (2) what plans does her department have in place to ensure the newly elected SGBs will contribute to policy and decision making that will transform and/or decolonise our education landscape, since her department has over the years devalued it and made it inferior among the world’s standards?
Reply:
The DBE will work with PEDs to ensure the implementation of section 19 of SASA, which expects of the PEDs to have a programme to train SGBs. Part of the training! will be on keeping schools safe for learners and teachers.
The DBE will ensure the implementation of section 18A of SASA, which expects of PEDs to have in place a Code of Conduct of the School Governing Body, aimed at establishing a disciplined and purposeful school environment, dedicated to the improvement and maintenance of a quality governance structure at a public school.
Furthermore, PEDs will be monitored that they have a programme to—
- provide introductory training for newly elected governing bodies to enable them to perform their functions. This training will include SGB roles and responsibilities and the importance of having a mission that is in line with the PED vision; and
- provide continuing training to governing bodies to promote the effective performance of their functions or to enable them to assume additional functions. The training will amongst other areas cover policy development by SGBs.
The DBE will also support PEDs to take Representative Council of Learners to play a role in contributing to school safety and security.
Schools will be required to involve the parents in ensuring that schools are safe for learning and teaching.