Roles and skills needed by rural school governors of the Mafikeng Area Project Office of the North West Province

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the roles and skills needed by rural schools governors of the Mafikeng area project office of North West Province. Lack of uniformity, competency, skills and commitment are still encountered in the SGB structures. Little has been done to empower the rural school governors with relevant skills for effective job performance. An empirical investigation was employed to find ways of empowering the encountered incompetency of rural governors. Literature survey was employed to determine the nature and scope of roles and skills needed by rural schools governors. The subjects of the study were adults (teachers, parents, principals) and students. The responses of 220 respondents were analysed. The findings revealed that school governors in rural areas experience problems in areas like addressing parent's annual meetings, financial management, control and feedback in their job. Recommendations were made by respondents on how to empower rural school governors with the necessary skills. On the basis of the problems and skills identified, more emphasis was put on commitment of all stakeholders, training of governors to develop their management skills, financial skills, regular workshops by the Department of Education, and the old SGB members to train the new ones. The new SGBs should ask questions when they are not clear and translation of back-up materials into the SGB's home language and a certificate for course completion to be granted to the members who completed their office term.