Governing bodies in need of overhaul

AFTER being in existence for more than 20 years, school governing bodies have shown little development.

Parents are reluctant to serve on these structures in the Western Cape. It would be useful to compare the local scenario with what happens in other provinces. There are many reasons why parents, teachers and learners are unwilling.

In poor townships riddled by gang fights, parents fear leaving their homes to attend meetings. Many endure long working hours.

There is also an underlying reason for the current disillusionment. Many parents feel their role in SGBs is merely an extension of the Department of Education’s management tools and that they actually do not have the clout to influence change in policies that will impact positively on the future of their children’s education.

Policies affecting monetary allocations, the improvement of the school curriculum, access to schools, expulsions and suspensions of learners and recruitment of staff (among others) are formulated by educational bureaucracies. Generally, the schools functioning under adverse conditions suffer from the lack of support by stakeholders.

Perhaps a step forward would be to initiate an indaba where the current prescriptions pertaining to the roles, functions and powers of governing bodies could be reviewed and revised.

Otherwise, we may just end up flogging another dead horse.