Date: 05/04/2006
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
Title: Cronje: Launch of SGB elections


  Speech delivered by the KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC, Ina Cronje, at the launch of SGB elections at Pietermaritzburg Royal show grounds

Superintendent-General – Dr Cassius Lubisi,
Deputy Director General – Dr SZ Mbokazi,
Directors and other officials,
Chairpersons of governing bodies,
Chairpersons of district forums,
Chairpersons of regional forums,
Media representatives,
Distinguished guests,
Good morning.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to officially launch the School Governing Body (SGB) elections in 2006 and to prepare for the fourth cycle of school governing body elections. School governing bodies in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are approaching the expiry of the third term of office and the election of school governing bodies every three years is one of the most important activities of the Department of Education.

The first SGB elections in KwaZulu-Natal took place in May 1997 and this was 60 days after the publication of the Provincial Gazette no. 5202 of 15 May 1997. The promotion of the devolution of authority from the central state to local structures has been a critical element in the new government’s transformation agenda and its quest for building and sustaining democracy in the whole country.

The second cycle of school governing started in the year 2000 and ended in 2002. One of the goals of SASA is to improve community ownership of schools and this goal was again achieved in 2002 and parents once more voted for their children’s future.

The third cycle of school governance started in 2003 and ended in 2005 and we are about to get into the fourth cycle of school governance. In the nine years of school governance one needs to emphasise that a great deal has been achieved. School governing bodies have made contributions within areas such as;

* The procurement of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM) for learners in all grades.
* The National Schools Nutrition programme (NSNP) and the formation of cooperatives as part of the economic empowerment programme for the Department of Education.
* Recommending the appointment of educators to the Head of Department.
* The development of governance policies such as a code of conduct for learners, the admission policy, the language policy, school fees policy and other policies.
* Contributing towards the improvement of grade 12 results and supporting school managers and thus enhancing the delivery of quality education.

Challenges facing the Department are that we still have parents who are indifferent and or sceptical. Of course we also have highly committed parents. We also have two categories of school governing bodies those that are there for their own agendas and those that are committed to education. The second category is committed towards the improvement of teaching and learning committed towards the proper handling of supplementary state funding and committed towards community involvement in the schools.

I want to take this opportunity and thank each and every one of you for supporting education. Education Management & Governance Development (EMGD) has also seen to it that the outgoing SGB members are given certificates of appreciation. The Department will appreciate the re-election and co-option of dedicated members of society who have displayed an unwavering commitment to the transformation of our schools as institutions of high performance and excellence, without self-interest.

What has been done by the Department of Education to level the ground for the coming 2006 SGB elections?

* The Superintendent of Education has written to all SGBs in the province thanking them for the services rendered within the area of school governance.
* We have forged a partnership with the provincial Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) so that the SGB elections are accorded the status and dignity given to the local municipality elections.
* I have prepared a general notice covering the election procedure for the parent component and other components. The general notice has accommodated proposals as outlined in the national guidelines for the SGB elections.
* Education Management and Governance Development (EMGD) has, together with districts, prepared a management plan for the SGB elections, which will be presented to you by the Director for EMGD.
* EMGD has, together with the Media Liaison Officer (in the MEC’s office), developed the KZN communication strategy for the 2006 school governance elections.
* We have prepared advocacy materials such as banners, posters and pamphlets in English, Zulu and Afrikaans. The slogan for this year’s SGB elections is ‘Vote For Your Child’s Future’ and I am pleading with all officials and principals to make sure that the coming SGB elections are underpinned by principles such as transparency, gender equity, democracy, accountability and responsibility, non racism and community involvement.

SGB elections in the KZN province will be conducted between May and September 2006 and we pray for free and fair elections. Remember that when you vote you will be voting for your child’s future.

I wish you the best of luck as you prepare for SGB elections in 2006.

Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
5 April 2006