Perspectives on the training of school governing bodies: towards an effective and efficient financial management system

Abstract

School governance is one dimension of a major commitment to democracy in post-apartheid South Africa (Bush 2004). Although stakeholder participation in school activities is essential, it is also widely recognised that many parents and educators on school governing bodies (SGBs) lack the necessary knowledge and skills in financial management to contribute effectively to school governance. And despite the Schools Act 84 of 1996 making provision for provincial education departments to provide for SGB training, it would appear that some provinces have not attached importance to this function. It has been observed that when training was provided, the quality of training was substandard and the attendance of SGB members from specific schools was low. Using a qualitative approach, the perceptions of school governors on the effectiveness of training in financial matters were determined. Analysis of data revealed, amongst others, that the application of the cascade model to SGB training had serious limitations, that the delivery of training programmes did not cater for the needs of previously disadvantaged schools, and that despite attending training sessions, many governors still lacked the necessary expertise and skills to manage school finances. Guidelines will be developed to ensure that SGB members receive effective training in financial management.