The participation of school governing bodies in school based management in Mafikeng area

Abstract

The major purpose of this qualitative study was intensively investigate the participation of the School Governing Body (SGB) in School Based Management system (SBMS) in Mafikeng Area Office. The semi- structured interview and documents analysis were employed to collect data for the study. The investigation considered the responses of focus groups of two principals, two SMT members, two chairpersons, two treasurers and two educators in two selected schools regarding the issue of the participation of SGBs in SBM in Mafikeng Area Office. All the data collected from selected public primary schools one from a rural area and one being township schools were examined, conferred, and concluded. The major finding of this study is that the determinations by the Department of Education to provide training and support to address the complex problems experienced by SGB participating in school Based Management are inadequate. The findings also suggest that, the SGBs, despite being afforded full roles and responsibilities in decision-making in schools, are not playing the role. Participation of SGBs in SBM is considered to enhance schools improvement and contribute to the development of democracy in schools, however, much work still has to be done. It seems the SGBs cannot perform their roles and responsibilities because of the various challenges such as illiteracy and poverty and lack of time-off from work. It is therefore concluded that the Department of Education should provide a structured training programmes for the development of SGBs, and that further investigation be undertaken regarding the participation of SGBs in SBM in public primary school in the Mafikeng Area Office.