The role of the school governing body in the financial management of the school

Abstract

This research focuses on the role of school governing bodies in the management of finances in the nine schools, situated in the three clusters, of the Kgetleng area office, of the Ngaka ModiriMolema District, in the North West Province. Data for this study was collected through literature review, which formed the first part of the research and empirical investigation, which formed the second part of the project. An analysis of the data showed a number of anomalies in relation to the management of school funds, inter alia, that some parents fail dismally to meet their financial obligations towards the schools their children are attached to, given their dependence on government for the provision of all the necessary requirements to schools. The criteria used to determine the poverty level of communities does not take into consideration the poverty levels, through monthly income of individual households of learners attached to schools. Parent-members of the SGB have to be trained on negotiation and persuasion skills since they are the ones responsible to convince and persuade community members on whatever contributions they have to make towards the schools. Amongst other recommendations to improve the role of SGBs in their management of school funds, is that individual SGB members like, the chairperson, treasurer and secretary, must be trained in financial management skills as soon as they assume responsibility as office bearers. The current funding model that provides for the funding of schools by the state needs to be revised and principals must upgrade their qualifications from time to time, especially in relation to school financial management.