SGB Elections 2018: Minister Schafer highlights importance of handover process | Western Cape Government

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SGB Elections 2018: Minister Schafer highlights importance of handover process

26 March 2018

The South African Schools Act (SASA), 1996 (Act 84 of 1996) gives governing bodies considerable powers to govern schools as part of the key structures of our democracy. Governing bodies represent all sectors of the school community, including parents, teachers, non-teaching staff - and learners in Grades 8 to 12.

With School Governing Body (SGB) elections taking place across the Country during the month of March, it is imperative that Principals, as the official representative of the of the Head of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) while serving on the governing body, ensure that they fully facilitate the Governing Body handover process to the newly elected governing body.

The WCED has therefore issued a circular that introduces guidelines for the handover process from the outgoing to the newly elected governing body.

The principal of a school is the official representative of the Head of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) while serving on the governing body. He or she is therefore obliged to ensure that there are adequate administrative measures in place aimed at sustaining the administrative and records management processes.

The principal must facilitate the handover process which must take place within 14 days of the first meeting of the new governing body. The principal must conduct the handover process by officially providing all relevant governance files, including the governing body constitution, policies and procedures, to the new governing body.

The principal must, in the same meeting, conduct an induction session for the new members and answer any questions that the new governing body may have.

A handover certificate, signed by both the incoming and outgoing chairperson, must be completed and kept safely at the school.

Principals are reminded that the WCED is audited annually and evidence of the actual handover process must be properly minuted and recorded.

The outgoing governing body will continue to perform its functions until the first meeting of the new governing body.

The new governing body must meet within seven (7) days after receiving notice from the electoral officer, to elect office bearers. The outgoing governing body must hand over to the new governing body within fourteen (14) days of the first meeting.

We have many examples of outstanding governing bodies that have contributed significantly to improving the quality of education at their schools through their good governance.

The new governing bodies will learn from their experience. Integral to this is a full and thorough handover process.

After the elections, the WCED will provide governing bodies with comprehensive training and support by officials who specialise in school management and governance.

The WCED is working with schools to prepare for the elections, starting with training sessions for principals as electoral officers in all eight education districts of the province during February.

The department is providing every principal with a comprehensive training manual that covers all aspects of the elections, from the legislative framework to compiling voters' rolls, election processes and managing disputes.

I wish schools all the best as they conduct the election process and I look forward to working with our new governing bodies as we continue to strive for well-managed schools that provide quality education for all our children.

Media Enquiries: 

Jessica Shelver
Email: Jessica.Shelver@westerncape.gov.za