SCHOOL OPERATIONS, ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND CORRUPTION

Source: Corruption Watch

ABOUT SGBS

• Start and administer school funds.

• Open and maintain a bank account for the school.

• Prepare an annual budget and submit it to parents for approval.

• Draw up and submit audited or examined financial statements to their provincial education departments.

• Buy textbooks, education material or equipment for the school.

• Pay for services.

• Supplement funds supplied by provincial education departments (for fee-paying schools) by setting, collecting and administering school fees and other fundraising efforts.

• Decide on applications for exemptions (no-fee schools) from school fees.

ABOUT PRINCIPALS

• Support and guide school expenditure in consultation with the SGB.

• Help the SGB keep proper records of school accounts.

• Oversee the drawing up of the budget.

• Advise on textbooks, educational materials and equipment to be bought and manage their use.

• Ensure controls are in place.

• Monitor compliance.

PROCUREMENT IN NO-FEE SCHOOLS

• Depending on the amount determined by provincial education departments, these schools need to provide the department with three separate quotations from registered suppliers.

• Provincial education departments then approve the most suitable quotations by either paying the supplier or transferring funds into the school’s account to pay the supplier.

• Also advertise the tender in the government tender bulletin.

PROCUREMENT IN FEE-PAYING SCHOOLS

• Manage own finances through SGBS.

• Are expected to get at least three quotes when making purchases or publish a tender.

• Assets need to be registered and accounted for in the audited statements submitted to parents and provincial education departments annually.

CORRUPTION IN SCHOOLS

• Includes theft or abuse of school funds and assets.

• Entails maladministration or financial misconduct that relates to school resources.

• Involves irregular employment practices by principals and/or SGBS.

• Irregular procurement practices by principals and/or SGBS.

CORRUPTION-COMBATING TOOLS

• Report to the SGB.

• The SGB then reports to the principal.

• The principal reports to the district education office.

• The district reports to the head of department.

• If findings are not satisfactory, appeal to the education MEC.

• If the principal is involved, report to the SGB (and vice versa).