Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has been discussing the role of parents in school governing bodies (SGBs) in the success of South African schools.

“Schools with effective and efficient SGB members secure greater success than those with limited parental and community involvement.”

In Pretoria, Motshekga announced that the 2012 school governing body elections would be held from March 1 to 31, reports News 24.

“During that period parents, teachers, and learners in over 24 000 public schools will elect representatives across the country. Make yourself available for nomination, attend meetings, and participate in the elections.”

She believes that school governing bodies play an important role in the running of schools, and parents serving on them can help drive the fight against racism, xenophobia, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and intolerance.

“Creative and resourceful SGBs play a fundamental role in mobilising scarce resources for education. I call upon all parents with children of school-going age to take part in the upcoming SGB elections. This is your chance as a parent and a member of the community to make a difference to your schools.”

Parents of children in eighth grade and onward at the school are eligible to be nominated and elected to the SGB, along with teachers, pupils and other school staff members.

Communities should use people with expertise in areas that benefited the SGB and the school, said Motshekga.

“Treating the SGB elections as a priority will help us in further improving the performance and passes we get. A careful selection of parents is of paramount importance.”

The size of the SGB is determined by the size of the school, says Basic education director general Bobby Soobrayan.