I Cronje: Launch of SGB elections

5 April 2006

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