A reminder that School Governing Body elections will be taking place at public schools across the province between March 6th and 28th.
One of the overall responsibilities of a school SGB is to “promote the best interests of the school and strive to ensure its development through the provision of quality education for all learners at the school.” This includes children who may need extra care and support.
Parent governors are appointed to support the principal, educators and other staff in the performance of their duties – and those playing this role in turn need the support and encouragement of the parent body as a whole.
IESA urges parents to participate in SGB elections and familiarise themselves with their parent representatives – even if they feel unable to stand for election themselves.
The SGB will attend to policies relating to language of learning, admissions, extra-mural programme, additional support staff, and learner behaviour, as well as provision for learners with special needs.
The SA Schools Act also makes provision for the SGB of an ordinary public school to co-opt a person or persons with expertise regarding the special needs of learners attending the school – a provision which is seldom taken advantage of.
Those appointed will serve for 3 years and take responsibility for developing and upholding the ethos of their school and the well-being of ALL its children.