1. The Department of Education (DoE) has sent copies of the National Guidelines for School Governing Body Elections to all provinces. The purpose of the national guidelines is to provide a national framework for the interpretation of the South African Schools' Act (SASA) and to indicate good practice to guide the elections in the provinces.
2. The provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for education determines the election procedures for each province. In the Western Cape, the Provincial Notice 6519, dated Tuesday, 20 May 2008, outlines the SGB election procedures for public schools (excluding public schools for learners with special education needs). These provincial measures are based on the national guidelines, but have been adapted for our local conditions.
3. The national guidelines therefore should be seen as a resource document to support the election of legitimate and properly constituted SGBs elected through a democratic and fair process, rather than a prescription.
4. Each school should be provided with four copies of the national guidelines by the circuit official(s). Two copies must be provided to the SGB and the other two to the staff of the school.
5. It is DoE policy to provide documents in English only.


SIGNED: B VOLSCHENK
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:05:05