SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY (SGB) ELECTIONS March-April (3 year Cycle)
The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) calls on
the Muslim community to actively participate in School Governing Bodies (SGB)
Elections to be held across SA Public Schools from the 1st of March to the 30th
of April.
While we express our
concerns about BELA Legislation, we must not fail to use the Existing
Opportunities the SGB offers.
If we are truly concerned about how our children are
educated and the growing instances of Rainbow Events, Gender Swap Days, Alcohol
in Schools, and the move for Government to take more control on our children’s
education, we need to act now!
Background
These elections are legislated to be held every 3 years at
tens of thousands of Public Schools.
SGBs are critical to the smooth functioning & operation
of Public schools.
It is the view of various community and education experts
that if we can positively influence school education in SA, it will directly
benefit all of our children s futures & that of
South Africa. Many of the service delivery and social problems we face today
are a direct result of poor education in the past.
Call to Action
It is important for Muslims to be active in the civil
structure of South Africa. Our legislation & education systems encourage
participation of communities in their schools. We need to take advantage of
this opportunity especially now at this critical time that legislation on SGB
powers is under review.
Benefits
School Governing Bodies have a direct influence on the
following, among others:
>Control of financial & operational governance of the
school.
>Appointment of principals, teachers & administrators and disciplinary procedures.
>Setting of fees and oversight of spending.
>Setting & application of policies for education and
e.g. Uniforms, Events
>Influencing the ethos, values & discipline at the
school.
>Influencing the way the curriculum is interpreted &
applied.
The SGB has the ability to
influence positively or negatively:
>Access to select groups of students.
>The demographic profile of students.
>The quality of education provided by the school.
Process & Implications
Elections are held early March (any community
mobilisation plans must be addressed urgently).
Candidates must be nominated and accept the
nomination as per the schools rules & may be needed two days before.
(Nominations must be timeous).
The election requires a caucus, failing which a
second date is set, where a caucus is not required (parents must avail
themselves on both evenings).
A small number of attendees improves chances of
election for minority groups.
Each parent has 1 vote, so a single child in a
school has 2 votes. Both parents must attend to maximise the votes.
The parents must present their IDs before the
vote & register at the election.
Votes are cumulative and we must Vote
Strategically. To improve the chances of a preferred candidate, vote only for
the candidate/s you are supporting. Additional votes may count AGAINST your
candidate!
The votes are counted in the presence of
observers. Be an observer.
Note: The SGB can coopt unelected, additional candidates but
are not obliged to do so.
Considerations
It needs to be noted that the majority of
our Muslim students are NOT in Private/Islamic/Majority Muslim schools. In light of this, we need to consider the importance of
participation & representation.
When candidates are
being proposed by a group in the community there are a number
of factors that should be considered:
>A "Diplomatic and Common-sense" person who can work with a diverse
team and add value will benefit the SGB.
>SGBs and other parents tend to also look to candidates
who have beneficial skills like finance, law, education, human resources,
building maintenance and fundraising.
>Candidates need to have sufficient time to participate
in SGB meetings, subcommittees or projects. This is
often minimal but varies by school (some require more input.)
>Good candidates with the values & understanding of
needs of the community who may NOT be Muslim need to fairly be supported.
However, we must caution AGAINST those who may use this as
an Islamisation of education, where candidates efforts may take away from
the efficient, non-racial, multi-religious & inclusive nature of public
education.
Feedback & Guidance
The following input was received from educators,
professionals & SGB members:
>Despite the number of Private Islamic schools, we must
realise that most Muslim students in SA are in Public Schools. In most cases
they are minorities and in less affluent communities.
>Candidates cannot enforce a view but can influence &
lodge objections when within the SGB. The message of participation must be seen
in a multi-year or inter-generational context.
>The impact of this will be gradual but could be for
decades if sustainable.
>Parents often seem to believe that getting their
children into former Model C schools is the end point, when
that is actually only the start.
>Some parents can make unreasonable demands of the
school, discouraging diversity & portraying Muslims as difficult.
>Where candidates are elected, they can be frustrated by
being marginalised.
If we want to build a better SA, we need to start in the
schools.
Most parents make efforts/take leave to attend school
functions or sports. SGB elections are as important, if not more so.
Ramadan or Not, we need to be
there
The second voting evening may fall within Ramadan in 2024 to
2027. We must see this as an obligation to attend. If necessary
take your iftaar and musallah.
We cannot abrogate our responsibility to the community.
Previous generations made sacrifices and they were involved
in the development and administration of schools, even under oppressive and
adverse conditions. It is our responsibility to make an
effort to give some of our time to ensure the education of all future
generations is improved.
Past Experiences growing Islamophobic Challenges
Over the past few years, SAMNET has assisted and come to
know of a numerous instances involving students, parents
and teachers where there have been uncompromising or even hostile incidents
with schools.
Many of these have
been with SGBs or principals. In most cases, a visible presence and engaged
parent body would have been beneficial. If parents are not involved
proactively, it makes mediation more difficult when it is needed.
There are many
instances where Muslims have built a reputation on SGBs or through building
relationships for their contributions. Schools have been able to facilitate the
reasonable accommodation of Muslims and other communities.
Way Forward
Call to Action & Information:
The challenge of university starts in our schools and SAMNET
calls on our community leaders and organisations to use this communication and
information provided to engage the public to participate in SGB elections
across SA within the next few weeks.
Coordination:
Communities may choose to coordinate and plan over the next
few weeks to identify and support selected candidates.
Posters:
SAMNET has drafted a general communication/poster/flyer for
the public, to be circulated at Masaajids and other
locations.
Speakers and
Advice:
SAMNET have also identified Educators, SGB Chairpersons/ SGB
members who can share their experiences. They are available for interviews,
teleconferences/meetings. Arrangements can be made via our office.
Feedback and Ideas:
We ask that you provide us with feedback and ideas that
could be shared across our Network to make these a successful and inclusive SGB
Election year.
To provide your time and skills for the upliftment of
others and especially our children is a form of Serving Mankind.
Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET)
in the interest of promoting social involvement and education for all South
Africans.