Friday 6 March marked the start of School Governing Body (SGB) elections across Gauteng and Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has urged parents to take part in the elections that will run till 28 March. Lesufi said it is the collective responsibility between parents and the department to ensure that pupils in Gauteng schools remain on top of their game. “Education is a societal issue and in these SGB elections we want parents who will want to advance the quality of education and see to it that children in our schools are the best in the world,” said Lesufi.
He highlighted that the department will also assist and give support to the new incoming SGBs. R600 million has been set aside toward the training of the SGB members to equip them with the necessary skills that will ensure that they are able to deliver their responsibilities accordingly. Lesufi also mentioned that the department will not allow a parent or guardian, who was found guilty of corruption by their forensic unit, to stand for these elections. “Parents who are found guilty of mismanagement, interrupting the work of the SGB and corruption will be blacklisted and cannot serve the SGB,” explained Lesufi. With the training that the SGB will receive, Lesufi said it will help them understand their role and responsibility better. He said he also wants only the best parents who have their children’s education and best interest at heart to stand for elections. “I don’t want SGB members who will frequent the school to have tea and biscuits or to hold a meeting to decide on the colour of paint to be used at school,” elaborated Lesufi. He said he wants SGB members who will put more emphasis and concern on what is happening in the classroom. “They must be more concerned whether they have the best maths teacher in the school or question why a certain teacher has failed to produce good results,” said Lesufi.
The elections will be overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission to ensure that they are run freely and fairly. “With over 2.1 million ballot papers to be distributed across the province, SGB elections are the third biggest election after the National and Local Government elections,” shared Lesufi.
