Exploring the Requirement and Conduct of Financial Training Programmes for Training of School Governing Bodies by the Department of Education in the North West Province

Abstract

Majority of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in South Africa are facing various challenges such as lack of appropriate governing skills, mismanagement of school funds and corruption. These challenges make it difficult for members of SGBs to discharge their duties. In terms of section 23 of the South African School Act (SASA), Members of the Executive Councils (MECs) for Education in each of the nine provinces in South Africa are required to formulate financial guidelines for the schools. These guidelines do not adequately address financial programmes for training of SGBs with regard to management of school funds. The purpose of this study was to explore the requirement and conduct of financial training programmes for training of School Governing Bodies by the Department of Education in the North West Province' The study was underpinned by a positivist paradigm. A descriptive survey research design and a quantitative research approach was adopted. Data was collected from a sample of 50 SGB members in 20 selected schools in the North West Province. Respondents were drawn using a two-stage cluster sampling method with probability proportional to size. The collected data was analysed with the aid of a computer software package, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that SGB members' perceptions differ with regard to their role in managing school funds. The study revealed that the majority of SGB members do not have adequate financial management skills and knowledge to effectively manage school funds due to SGB members' literacy levels and limited financial management training. The study further reveals that SGBs in the North West Province of South Africa are facing a number of challenges such as financial mismanagement and corruption and they are incompetent to implement financial policies as prescribed by South African School Act (SASA) No, 84 of 1996. The study found that these challenges were as a result of lack of understating of SASA No, 84 of 1996 and inadequate financial training as well as monitoring and support by the North West DoE.

The study recommended that SGB member's financial management skills and knowledge should be enhanced through effective training and capacity development in financial management should be conducted in a language that would be understood by SGBs. The practical implication for this study is that the DoE should review the content of financial training programmes offered to SGBs and align the training to the functions of the SGBs. Recommendations for future research were also provided.