GUIDELINES RELATING TO

ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL
GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
2018
 GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF
SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
Published 2014

Amended 2017

The Guideline for SGB Elections was designed for Provincial Officials to use as reference when regulating
these elections.

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Definitions 3
2. Composition of governing bodies for public schools 5
3. Eligibility 5
4. Provincial Elections Coordinator 5
5. District Electoral Officer 6
6. School Electoral Officer 6
7. Code of conduct for Electoral Officers (District and School) 7
8. The voters’ roll 7
9. Franchise 7
10. Date, Time and Place of the Nomination and Election Meeting for Parent Members 8
11. Nomination of Parent Members 8
12. Quorum 9
13. Election of Parent Members 9
14. Nomination and Election Meeting for Educator members 10
15. Nomination and Election Meeting for a Member of Staff 11
16. Nomination and Election of Learner Members 11
17. Deviation from a single election meeting 11
18. Decision of School Electoral Officer 12
19. Procedure after Election of Governing body 12
20. Hand over 13
21. Election and term of Office-bearers 13
22. By-elections due to vacancies in the governing body 14
23. Membership of Governing Bodies of Public Schools for Learners with Special Education Needs 15
24. Repeal 15
25. Short title 15
26. Templates 16

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GUIDELINES RELATING THE ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Definitions

In these regulations any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act, bears the meaning
assigned to it and, unless the context otherwise indicates.

“days” means calendar days including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays;

“district electoral officer” means a senior district official at a district office responsible for oversee and manage the
election process in the district;

“educator” means any person, excluding a person who is appointed to exclusively perform extra-curricular duties, who
teaches, educates or trains other persons or who provides professional educational services, including professional
therapy and education psychological services, at a public school;

“Head of Department” means the head of the education department in the province;

“member” means a member of the governing body;

“member of staff” means a person appointed according to the Public Service Act or the South African Schools Act who
is not an educator at a school;

“Member of the Executive Council” means the Member of the Executive Council who is responsible for education in
the province;

“parent” means –

(a) the biological or adoptive parent or legal guardian of a learner;

(b) the person legally entitled to custody of a learner; or

(c) the person who undertakes to fulfil the obligations of a person referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) towards the
learner’s education at school;

“principal” means an educator appointed or acting in a post established as the head of a school;

“provincial elections co-ordinator” means a senior provincial official at a provincial office responsible to oversee
and manage the election process in the province;

“public school” may be—

ι. an ordinary public school; or

ιι. a public school for learners with special education needs; or

ιιι. a public school that provides education with a specialised focus on talent, including sport, performing arts

or creative arts.

“representative council of learners” means a representative council of learners established in terms of section 11 of
the Act;

“school” means an ordinary public school or a public school for learners with special education needs which enrols
learners in one or more grades from grade R to grade 12.

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“school electoral officer” means the Principal. In exceptional cases the District Director may appoint an education
official who is trained in order to manage the election process of the school.

“the Act” means the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 of 1996), as amended.

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1. Composition of governing bodies for public schools

(1) The membership of the governing body of a public school comprises the following members:

(a) Elected members;

(b) The Principal by virtue of his or her official capacity; and

(c) Co-opted members.

(2) The elected members of the governing body referred to in sub paragraph (1)(a) comprise the following
members:

(a) Parents of learners at the school;

(b) Educators at the school;

(c) Members of staff who are not educators;

(d) Learners in the eighth grade or higher at the school, drawn from the RCL or nominated by the RCL
if applicable.
(3) The number of parent members, educator members, staff members who are not educators and learner
members of a governing body must, depending on the type and grading of the school concerned, comply
with Schedule A of these guidelines.

2. Eligibility

A person will not be eligible to be a member of a governing body if he or she:

(a) Is mentally ill and has been declared as such by a competent court;

(b) Is an un-rehabilitated insolvent;

(c) Has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment in a court of law in South Africa or
in a foreign country, without the option of a fine, for a period exceeding six months; and has not yet
served his or her full period of imprisonment;

(d) Has been declared to be unsuitable to work with children as stipulated in terms of the Children’s Act,
2005 (Act 38 of 2005) ; or is listed in the register of people unsuitable to work with children in terms
of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007;

(e) Does not fall within one of the categories of members who make up a governing body;

(f) No longer falls within the category of members that he or she represented at the time of his/her
election; or

(g) Has had his/her membership terminated by the HOD in terms of SASA.

3. Provincial Election’s Coordinator

The duties of a Provincial Election Coordinator are amongst others to:

(a) Ensure that Provincial Regulations are promulgated in order to conduct the SGB elections;

(b) Ensure that there is adequate advocacy concerning the election date;

(c) Ensure compliance with provincial procedures with regard to elections;

(d) Coordinate the resources to conduct efficient and fair governing body elections;

(e) Ensure that the school electoral officers have the templates and all documents required for the elec-
tion process;

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 (f) Resolve disputes related to the elections which could not be resolved at school or district levels;

(g) Monitor and evaluate the election process in the province; and

(h) Consolidate a database of governing body members once elected.

4. District Electoral Officer

The duties of a District Electoral Officer are amongst others to:

(a) Coordinate the election processes in the district;

(b) Advise the district on the proposed strategy and implementation of the election in the district and
ensure that the process is conducted as agreed;

(c) Compile a management plan to implement the provincial regulations;

(d) Ensure that each school has an Electoral Officer in line with provincial regulations, and that the
School Election Teams are established;

(e) Ensure that all election officials working at school level are adequately trained and are aware of what
their role entails;

(f) Ensure that all Electoral Officers receive the provincial election regulations and other documents in
good time;

(g) Ensure that election advocacy is conducted as planned;

(h) Ensure that the entire election process is monitored;

(i) Ensure that the names and contact details of the persons elected to governing bodies (refer to
Template 1: Notification of all Members Elected to the Governing Body) are submitted within a week
of the elections taking place;

(j) Ensure that they receive the Data Form (refer to Template 2: Governing body Data Form) from the
School Principal; and submit it to the district within 14 days of the meeting at which the office bearers
are elected;

(k) Resolve disputes related to the decisions which could not be resolved at school level;

(l) Develop a database of newly elected governing bodies and submit it to the Provincial Election
Coordinator; and

(m) Compile a written district report on elections and submit it to the Provincial Coordinator.

5. School Electoral Officer

The duties of a School Electoral Officer are amongst others to:

(a) Prepare a notice giving details of the date, time and venue of the nomination and election meeting;

(b) Ensure that there is a suitable venue for the nomination/election meeting;

(c) Ensure that the School Election Team knows the electoral process to be followed and complies with
relevant legislation;

(d) Intervene in and resolve any disputes on the day of nomination/ election; and

(e) Submit election results to the district office.

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6. Code of Conduct for Electoral Officers (District and School)

An Electoral Officer, shall:

• Act honestly and with dignity;

• Act in an unbiased way;

• Be familiar with the election process and applicable legislation;

• Carry out the election in terms of the provincial prescripts;

• Co-operate with school managers and line management;

• Manage the voting process in a fair and just manner;

• Deal with difficulties that may arise with courtesy;

• Be polite and diligent; and

• Not exceed his or her mandate.

7. The voters’ roll

(1) A voters’ roll for each of the categories containing the names of all eligible parents, educators, members of
staff and learners, as the case may be, must be available as follows:

(a) The voters’ roll for parents must be based on the school admission register. Eligible voters are those
persons appearing in the admissions register as parents or who can show proof that they are parents
as defined in the Act. Only two parents per learner are eligible to vote.

(b) The voters’ roll close 24 hours before the voting day to ensure that the electoral officer can focus on
the nomination and voting processes and quality assure the roll;

(c) The voters’ roll for educators must consist of all educators employed at the school;

(d) The voters’ roll for members of staff must consist of all members of staff employed at the school;

(e) The voters’ roll for learners must consist of all members of the Representative Council of Learners
(RCL).

(2) The electoral officer must, at least 14 days prior to the date of the election for parent members, inform the
parents of the availability of the voters’ roll at the school.

(3) The nominee, proposer and seconder must be persons who are who are listed on the voters’ roll for their
respective constituency of representation on the SGB.

(4) Electoral officers should follow the principle of inclusion, transparency and democracy, rather than that of
excluding potential voters.

8. Franchise

(1) Every parent of a learner officially enrolled at a school is entitled to vote for parent members of the governing
body and has one vote in respect of each nominee with a maximum number of votes equal to the number
of parent members to be elected.

(2) Every educator, including the principal, employed at a school is entitled to vote for educator members and
has one vote in respect of each nominee with a maximum number of votes equal to the number of educator
members to be elected.

(3) Every member of staff is entitled to vote for a member of staff and has one vote. If the school has only one
member of staff, that member is automatically elected.

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 (4) Every member of a RCL is entitled to vote for learner members and has one vote in respect of each
nominee with a maximum number of votes equal to the number of learner members to be elected

(5) Proxy votes are not allowed.

9. Date, Time and Place of the Nomination and Election Meeting of Parent Members

(1) The school electoral officer must prepare notices (Template 5) in the prescribed form, in which the date,
time and place of the nomination and election meeting must be stated. The nomination and election of
members must be in one meeting.

(2) The school electoral officer must ensure that the notices regarding the nominations and elections are
distributed and displayed in prominent places at the school and in the community at least 14 days prior to
date of the nominations and elections and hand the notice prior thereto to the principal.

(3) The principal must –

(a) at least 14 days prior to the date of the nomination and election meeting for parent members hand a
copy of the notice to every learner of the school concerned with the oral instruction to hand it to his
or her parents; or

(b) any other method that works for the school community, as long as it in no way disadvantages any
members of the school community.
(4) Whatever method is used as mentioned in sub paragraph (3), the notices must be in the language of the
school’s language of instruction, and where practical, in the home language of learners.

10. Nomination of Parent Members

(1) A parent must be nominated (refer to Template 6: Nomination Form) and seconded only by a parent of a
learner of the school concerned, by -

(a) lodging with the school electoral officer, not more than seven days and not less than 24 hours prior to
the commencement of the nomination meeting, a nomination form duly completed by the proposer,
seconder and nominee; or

(b) nominating a parent who must be proposed and seconded on the nomination form completed by the
proposer during the nomination part of the meeting.

(c) ensuring that the nominee meet the requirements of paragraph 2 and appends his/her signature.

(2) The electoral officer of the school must determine the time to be allowed for the nominations at the
commencement of the nomination meeting, and must inform the meeting thereof.

(3) After expiry of the time for nomination referred to in subparagraph (2), the electoral officer must -

(a) consider the nominations and reject the nomination of any nominee who —

(i) has not been nominated in accordance with subparagraph (1);

(ii) is not eligible to serve on the SGB; or

(iii) in the case of a nomination referred to in subparagraph (1)(b), has not completed the said
nomination form, unless written proof to the satisfaction of the electoral officer of the school is
submitted before the expiry of the time referred to in subparagraph (2), that such nominee will
be willing to serve as a member of the governing body and meets the eligibility requirements;

(b) announce the names of the nominees whose nominations have been accepted.

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 (4) If the total number of nominees whose nominations have been accepted -

(a) is less than the number of members required in respect of the category concerned, a new meeting
at which new nominees must be nominated shall be convened not less than 7 or more than 14 days
after the first meeting;

(b) is equal to the number of members required in respect of the category concerned, the electoral offi-
cer must declare every accepted nominee to be duly elected as a member of the governing body; or

(c) is more than the number of members required in respect of the category concerned, an election must
be held in accordance with paragraph 12.

11. Quorum

(1) A quorum of 15% of parents on the voters’ roll is needed for the nomination and election meeting to
proceed.

(2) For the counting of votes in relation to a full day election to proceed a 15% participation of parents is also
required.

(3) If the quorum is not met at the first election meeting, the election must be rescheduled not less than 7 or
more than 14 days from the date of the first meeting in which event the procedure prescribed in paragraph
10 shall be repeated. The notice of the second election meeting should clearly state that no quorum is
required for that meeting to continue.

12. Election of Parent Members

(1) The election of the parent component of the governing body shall be preceded by the election of the other
components.

(2) The election meeting must be held on the date and at the time and place as determined by the School
Electoral Officer.

(3) The Electoral Officer must explain the proceedings to be followed and must stipulate that every nominee
will have the opportunity to briefly state at least:

• His or her name;

• The names and grades of his or her children in the school;

• Occupation and experience or skills; and

• Vision for the school.

(4) Before the ballot papers (refer to Template 7: Ballot Paper for Parent Members) are distributed, the Electoral
Officer must:

(a) Ensure that every ballot paper has the school stamp on it, or some other distinguishing feature which
prevents the ballot papers from being tampered with; and

(b) Explain the voting process, the minimum and maximum number of nominees to be voted for, as well
as how to record the voting, either by using numbers or by writing names, or both.

(5) The ballot paper must indicate the names of all accepted nominees in alphabetical order based on their
surnames. Each name must have a number corresponding to a number on the ballot paper.

(6) If the total number of valid nominations is equal to the required number of parent members, those nominated
are declared to be duly elected, and the School Electoral Officer must sign a declaration indicating that
members were not elected by secret ballot, and that he or she allowed sufficient opportunity for more
nominations

(7) A person with a right to vote must record his or her vote on the ballot paper in secret and deposit the folded
ballot paper in a box or other closed container provided for the purpose.

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 (8) An illiterate person or a person not able to vote because of a physical disability may, at his or her own
request, be assisted by the School Electoral Officer and a witness identified by the person.

(9) The Electoral Officer must reject a ballot paper:

(a) Which is without the school stamp or distinguishing feature as contemplated in sub paragraph (4)(a);

(b) With more votes recorded than the number of members to be elected; or

(c) Which is completed in such a way that it is uncertain as to which nominee or nominees a vote was
recorded for.
(10) After the rejection of any spoilt ballot papers, the Electoral Officer must:

(a) Count the votes in the presence of nominees who wish to be present;

(b) Announce to the election meeting the name of each nominee and the number of votes cast for each;

(c) Complete the counted ballot papers form (refer to Template 8: Counted Ballot Papers and Declara-
tion of Number of Voters) in order of the most votes to the least votes; and

(d) Declare who has been elected. The person with the most votes is named or listed first and the one
with least votes is named or listed last.

(11) Where the number of votes recorded for two or more nominees is equal and it affects the result of the
poll, the Electoral Officer must ascertain the result with regard to the said nominees by drawing lots or by
using some other method that allows for a random selection between the tied nominees. This must be
done openly and by agreement of the nominees.

13. Nomination and Election Meeting of Educator members

(1) The School Electoral Officer will decide on a date, time and place for the nomination and election meeting
for educator members. This meeting must be held at least 24 hours before the election of the parent
member component.

(2) The Principal must give the School Electoral Officer a list of all educators at the school. This will serve as
the voters’ roll.

(3) The School Electoral Officer must ensure that each educator at the school receives a copy of the notice of
the Nomination/Election meeting (refer to Template 10: Notice of Nomination/Election Meeting for Educator
Members of Staff) at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.

(4) An educator can only be nominated and seconded (refer to Template 5: Nomination Form) by another
educator employed at the school.

(5) The completed nomination forms must be lodged with the School Electoral Officer not more than seven
days and not less than 24 hours prior to the commencement of the nomination meeting.

(6) Educators nominated at the meeting will need another educator present to second the nomination, and the
nomination form will have to be properly completed and handed in to the School Electoral Officer within the
time that the Electoral Officer allows for this purpose.

(7) If the total number of valid nominations is equal to the required number of educator members, those
nominated are declared to be duly elected, and the School Electoral Officer must sign a declaration
indicating that members were not elected by secret ballot, and that he or she allowed sufficient opportunity
for further nominations.

(8) If nominations are less than the number required for the educator component of the governing body, the
School Electoral Officer must convene another meeting before the parent members’ election meeting.

(9) If the nominations are more than the required number of educators, elections are conducted by secret
ballot (refer to Template 11: Ballot Paper for Educator Members), using the same procedure as described
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 for the parent members’ election.

14. Nomination and Election Meeting of a Member of Staff

The procedure for the election of the member of staff (who are not educators) to the governing body is as follows:

(a) The procedure as set out for the nomination and election of the educator component applies, with
the necessary changes, to this category of the governing body;

(b) In cases where there is no member of staff at the school, the position will be left unfilled;

(c) Where there is one member of staff, that person is regarded as duly elected to the governing body;

(d) In cases where there are two or more members of staff at a school, a democratic election must be
held to determine who should be appointed to the governing body (refer to Template 5: Notice of
Nomination Meeting for Member of staff Staff). The Electoral Officer may, with the approval of the
members of staff, draw lots as an alternative method to appoint a member of staff if there are two
members of staff on the school staff.

15. Nomination and Election of Learner Members

(1) The Representative Council of Learners shall elect from its ranks learners who shall be members of the
governing body.

(2) The procedure for the nomination and election of learner members shall be as prescribed for educator
members in the guideline.

(3) The number of learners elected to the governing body should be in line with the formula for the calculation
of members of the governing body as per category indicated in Schedule A.

(4) The learners must be made aware of section 32 of the Act, which outlines the status of minors on the
governing body.

16. Deviation from a single election meeting

(1) Schools must apply to the HOD for permission to deviate from the single election meeting. After permission
has been granted in writing, the school must communicate such to the electoral officer before notices are
sent out to parents.

(2) The HOD amongst other matters will approve such an application if he or she is satisfied that:

(a) he deviation will promote the best interests of the school community and the school and will allow for
maximum participation of voters in the voting process;

(b) The deviation will not discriminate unfairly against any potential voter or group of voters;

(c) Sufficient provision is made for the nomination process.

(3) If it is decided that the school deviates from the single election meeting, a quorum of 15% of voters is
needed for the counting of votes to proceed.

(4) If less than 15% voted, then the electoral officer must determine a new date for the voting and at this voting
process no quorum is required.

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17. Decision of School Electoral Officer

(1) The School Electoral officer shall decide all matters concerned with the nomination and election of nominees
in terms of all the categories.

(2) All disputes should be reported to the School Electoral Officer during the process of the elections.

(3) The School Electoral Officer shall resolve all disputes in order to declare elections undisputed. His or her
decision during the election is final.

(4) If the School Electoral Officer is unable to resolve a dispute, the election should be completed and the
dispute can then be referred to the District Electoral Officer within seven days after the Election Day. The
District Electoral Officer shall inform the complainant in writing of his/her decision and the reasons therefore
within 14 days of receipt of the complaint.

(5) In the event that knowledge of any alleged irregularity only became available after completion of the election
process, a dispute can be referred to the District Electoral officer. The provisions of paragraph 17(4) and
17(6) will then apply.

(6) An appeal can be lodged with the MEC within 7 (seven) days, should the complainant not be satisfied with
the decision taken by the District Electoral Officer.

(7) The MEC must inform the complainant in writing of his or her decision and the reasons therefore within 30
(thirty) days of receipt of the appeal.

18. Procedure after Election of Governing body

(1) After the election of a governing body the School Electoral Officer must:

(a) Place all documents, including ballot papers, used at such election in envelopes and seal the enve-
lopes;

(b) Keep those envelopes in safe custody for a period of at least three months from the date of the elec-
tion of the governing body concerned;

(c) Notify each elected member in writing of his or her election;

(d) Notify the Principal of the school in writing of the names and addresses of the persons elected as
members, and inform the Principal that he or she must notify the parents of the election results within
14 days of the meeting;

(e) Ensure that the District Director is informed in writing of the names and addresses of the persons
elected as governing members (refer to Template 1: Notification of all Members Elected to the gov-
erning body); and

(f) Submit an undisputed election declaration where this was the case, or a declaration detailing any
disputes (refer to Template 9: Election Declaration Form).

(2) The Principal must ensure that the Data Form (Template 2: Governing Body Data Form) is completed by
every member of the newly elected governing body. This form must be submitted to the district within 14
days after notification of the results of the election.

(3) The Principal is required to inform the provincial Department of Education of any changes in membership
of the Governing Body within 14 days of those changes being effected, to ensure that the database is up
to date.

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19. Hand over

(1) The Principal, as a member of the outgoing and the newly elected governing body, should manage the
handing-over process by:

a) Officially handing over all governing body files to the newly elected governing body;

b) Conducting an induction session for the newly elected members; and

c) Answering any questions that the newly elected governing body may have.

(2) A list indicating the minimum documents that need to be handed over to the incoming governing body is
included (Template 10: Handover guide).

20. Election and term of Office-bearers

(1) The principal shall convene the first meeting of the governing body within 14 days after he or she has
been notified in writing of the names and addresses of all the members of the governing body;

(2) At the first meeting of the governing body the principal shall make the members of the governing body
aware of their responsibilities and the need to ensure that office-bearers are as representative of
gender and racial diversity of the school as possible;

(3) At the first meeting of the governing body such body must, from amongst its members, elect office-
bearers, who must include at least a chairperson, a treasurer and a secretary. The Principal shall preside
at the election of the Chairperson of the School Governing Body who shall then officially preside over the
meeting;

(4) The office-bearers, with the exception of the learner component, shall remain in office for one year from
the date of their election;

(5) An office bearer of a governing body may be re-elected or co-opted after the expiry of his or her term of
office;

(6) If for any reason the office of an office-bearer becomes vacant, the governing body shall, at the first
meeting after that vacancy has occurred, elect one of its members to fill that vacancy for the unexpired
period of office of his or her predecessor; and

(7) The principal shall, after a meeting at which any office-bearer has been elected, notify the Head of
Department forthwith in writing of the date of the meeting and of the name, address and office of the
person elected.

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21. By-elections due to vacancies in the governing body

(1) The chairperson of the governing body, in consultation with the principal, must inform the District Director
of any vacancies and arrangements for a by-election.

(2) An electoral officer should be a principal of a neighbouring school.

(3) A by-election must be held whenever —

(a) the number of parent members of a governing body falls to a number equal to or less than the total
of the other members of the governing body;

(b) the number of members who, at the constitution of a governing body, were elected, or declared
elected, falls to a number equal to or less than the quorum referred to in the constitution of a fully
constituted governing body; or

(c) a category of members of a governing body referred to in section 23 or 24 of the Act is no longer
represented on a governing body.
(4) A vacancy shall occur in a governing body if a member -

(a) Resigns;

(b) Dies;

(c) Becomes disqualified as contemplated in paragraph 2;

(d) Absents himself or herself from three or more consecutive meetings of the governing body without
a formal apology;

(e) Is removed from office in accordance with provisions contained in a code of conduct contemplated
in section 18A of the Act; or

(f) No longer falls within the category of members that he or she represented at the time of the election.

(5) Whenever a vacancy occurs as envisaged in sub paragraph (3), a by-election must be held within 90 days
of the occurrence of such vacancy.

(6) The by-election must be held in accordance with paragraph 10 to 16, depending on the category.

(7) A member elected in accordance with this paragraph remains in office for the unexpired term of office of his
or her predecessor, providing he/she is still eligible.

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22. Membership of Governing Bodies of Public Schools for Learners with Special Education
Needs

(1) These guidelines will apply mutatis mutandis to governing bodies of public schools for learners with special
education needs unless indicated otherwise.

(2) The governing body of a public school for learners with special education needs should be composed as
follows:

(a) Parents of learners enrolled at the school, if reasonably practicable;

(b) Educators at the school;

(c) Members of staff at the school who are not educators;

(d) Learners in Grade 8 or higher, if reasonably practicable;

(e) Representatives of sponsoring bodies, if applicable;

(f) Representatives of organisations of parents of learners with special education needs, if applicable;

(g) Representatives of organisations of disabled persons, if applicable;

(h) Disabled persons, if applicable;

(i) Experts in relevant fields of special needs education; and

(j) The Principal by virtue of his or her official capacity.

(3) The chairperson of the governing body in the case of a public school for learners with special education
needs can be any member of the governing body elected from the persons referred to in sub paragraph (1)
(a),(e), (f), (g), (h), and (i).

(4) The number of parent members, educator members and learner members of a governing body must,
depending on the type and grading of the school concerned, comply with Schedule A to the paragraph.

(5) Parents must elect the members referred to in sub paragraph (2)(a) in accordance with paragraph 12.

(6) Educators employed at the school concerned must elect the members referred to in sub paragraph (2)(b)
in accordance with section 13.

(7) Members of staff at the school concerned who are not educators must elect the members referred to in sub
paragraph (2) in accordance with paragraph 14.

(8) The Representative Council of Learners must elect the members referred to in sub paragraph (2)(d) in
accordance with paragraph 15.

(9) Members of categories referred to in sub paragraph (2)(e),(f),(g) and (h) must be elected or appointed as
determined by the Member of the Executive Council.

(10) The people referred to in sub paragraph (2)(i) shall be appointed as determined by the Member of the
Executive Council.

23. Repeal

This guideline is subject to review every three years or when the need arises.

24. Short title

This guideline is called Guidelines Relating to the Election of Governing Bodies of Public Schools.

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

15
25. Templates index

Number Template notation

A Composition of governing body of ordinary public schools by type and learner enrolment
1 Notification of All Members Elected to the Governing Body
2 Governing Body Data Form
3 Parents Voters’ Roll
4 Voters’ Roll
5 Notice of Nomination and Election Meeting
6 Nomination Form
7 Ballot Paper
8 Counted Ballot Papers and Declaration of Number of Voters
9 Election Declaration Form
10 Handover Documents
11 Election Monitoring Instrument (Election Day)
12 Pre-election monitoring
13 Governing Body Election Schedule
14 School readiness monitoring instrument (SGB Election)
15 District readiness monitoring instrument (SGB Election)

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1
Schedule A

COMPOSITION OF GOVERNING BODY OF ORDINARY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY TYPE AND LEARNER

ENROLMENT

(1) The numbers of a governing body of a school are set out for each category of membership in the table
below.

(2) The number of members in a category will vary according to the type of school and learner enrolment set
out in columns 1 and 2.

(3) In a school which does not have a member of staff, the number of parents set out in column 4 shall be
reduced by one and the total number of members set out in column 8 shall be reduced by one.

TYPE OF NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER TOTAL

SCHOOL LEARNERS OF OF PARENT OF NON OF NUMBER OF
ENROLLED EDUCATOR MEMBERS EDUCATOR LEARNER MEMBERS
AT SCHOOL MEMBERS MEMBERS MEMBERS

Primary 1 to 159 1 1 4 1 0 7
School

Primary 160 to 700 1 2 5 1 0 9

School

Primary 701 and 1 3 6 1 0 11

School more

Secondary 1 to 649 1 2 7 1 2 13
School

Secondary 650 and 1 3 9 1 3 17

School more
Combined 1 to 499 1 2 7 1 2 13
School

Combined 500 and 1 3 9 1 3 17

School more

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COMPOSITION OF GOVERNING BODY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS BY TYPE AND LEARNER ENROLMENT

One member per applicable category. The table does not have the numbers for categories that are for appointment.

TYPE OF NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL NUMBER OF NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER OF Elected Total

SCHOOL LEARNERS EDUCATOR OF PARENT OF NON LEARNER members number of
ENROLLED MEMBERS MEMBERS EDUCATOR MEMBERS members
AT MEMBERS
If reasonably If reasonably
SCHOOL practical practical

Primary School 1 to 149 1 2 5 1 0 9 Plus

members
appointed
per
applicable
category

Primary School 150 and more 1 3 6 1 0 11

Secondary 1 to 149 1 2 6 1 1 11
School

Secondary 150 and more 1 3 8 1 2 15

School

Combined 1 to 149 1 2 7 1 2 13
School

Combined 150 and more 1 3 8 1 2 14 (15)

School

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 Template 1

NOTIFICATION OF ALL MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE GOVERNING BODY

SCHOOL:

DISTRICT:

ELECTION DATE:

CELL
SURNAME NAMES TEL NUMBER NUMBER FAX NUMBER EMAIL
Principal

Parents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Educators
1.
2.
3.
Members of staff
1.
Learners
1.
2.
3.

FULL NAME OF ELECTORAL OFFICER: _____________________________________

SIGNATURE: .....................................................

DATE:........../............/...............

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 Template 2

GOVERNING BODY DATA FORM

PROVINCE: SCHOOL NAME: EMIS NO:

Pre- Previous SGB

Gender Race Disability Education level vious training SGB
SGB
Surname and initials F M A W C I Yes No Primary Secondary Tertiary None Yes No portfolio
experience
in years
Principal

Parents
1. Chairperson
2.

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL

3.
4.
5.

1
20
6.
7
8
9
Educators
1.
2.
3.
Members of staff
1.
Learners
1.
2.
Appointed members (LSEN schools)

GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

1.
2.
 Template 3

PARENTS VOTERS’ ROLL

SCHOOL:______________________________ DISTRICT:_____________________________

NB: Only one child per family should appear on the voters’ roll

No SURNAME NAME(S) NAME OF THE CHILD GRADE OF THE

CHILD
1

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 Template 4

VOTERS’ ROLL

SCHOOL: __________________________ DISTRICT:______________________

COMPONENT: Place a cross (X) next to the correct component.

Educators Member of staff Learners

NO. SURNAME NAME

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

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 Template 5

NOTICE OF NOMINATION AND ELECTION MEETING

NAME OF SCHOOL:_______________________________ DISTRICT:____________________________

COMPONENT: Place a cross (X) next to the correct component.

Parents Educators Member of staff Learners

Notice is hereby given that a meeting for the nomination and election of nominees for ………………………. ( )

members of the governing body of the above-mentioned school, will be held on ……………………………….. (date) at

…………………… (time) at……………………………………………….. (place).

For parent nominees, the proposer and the seconder must be parents of learners at the school. Nominees must be
parents that are not employed at the school. For each category: the nominee, the proposer and the seconder must
come from the membership of that category.

The nomination form must be returned to the school at least one day before the elections are conducted. Nominations
will also be accepted at the nomination and election meeting.

NB: It is the responsibility of the nominee and the voter to ensure that their names are on the school’s voters’

roll, which can be viewed at the school.

NAME OF SCHOOL ELECTORAL OFFICER

SIGNATURE OF SCHOOL ELECTORAL OFFICER DATE: ........../.........../.............

Tel: ……………………………………………………….

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 Template 6:

NOMINATION FORM

NAME OF SCHOOL: ………………………………………………DISTRICT………………………………………

COMPONENT: Place a cross (X) next to the correct component.

Parents Educators Member of staff Learners

PROPOSER:

I, ……………………………………………………………...………………………(full name) being (a parent of a learner

/ an educator / a member of staff / a member of the Representative Council of Learners of the above-mentioned
school), hereby propose:

…………………………………………………………………………………………

(full name of nominee)

as a member of the governing body of the above-mentioned school.

SIGNATURE OF PROPOSER DATE

SECONDER

I, ……………………………………………………………...………………………(full name) being (a parent of a learner

/ an educator / a member of staff / a member of the Representative Council of Learners of the above-mentioned
school), hereby second:

…………………………………………………………………………………………

(full name of nominee) as a member of the governing body of the above-mentioned school.

SIGNATURE OF SECONDER DATE

DECLARATION BY NOMINEE:

I, the nominee……………………………………………………….(Full names) accept the nomination and declare that I

am not/have not:

(a) mentally ill and have not been declared as such by a competent court;

(b) an un-rehabilitated insolvent;

(c) been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment in South Africa or a foreign country without the op-
tion of a fine for a period exceeding six months or failed to serve a full period of imprisonment; and

(d) been declared to be unsuitable to work with children as stipulated in terms of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act 38 of
2005.

(e) had my membership terminated by the HOD in terms of SASA.

Signed at……………………………………on ……………………………………..

Signature:…………………………… Date:………/......…/………....
GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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 Template 7

BALLOT PAPER

NAME OF SCHOOL: ………………………………………………DISTRICT………………………………………

COMPONENT: Place a cross (X) next to the correct component.

Parents Educators Member of staff Learners

VOTE BY PLACING A CROSS IN THE BOX NEXT TO THE NOMINEE(S) OF YOUR CHOICE, e.g. X

Name Vote by an X
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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 Template 8

COUNTED BALLOT PAPERS AND DECLARATION OF NUMBER OF VOTES

NAME OF SCHOOL: ………………………………………………DISTRICT………………………………………

COMPONENT:

DATE OF ELECTION TYPE OF SCHOOL

Number Names of nominees (Most to least votes) Number of votes

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

TOTAL NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS:______________

TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST:____________________

SPOILT PAPERS:________________

NAME OF SCHOOL ELECTORAL OFFICER:_________________

SIGNATURE:_____________________ DATE:______/______/______

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 Template 9

ELECTION DECLARATION FORM

NAME OF SCHOOL: ………………………………………………DISTRICT………………………………………

NAME OF SCHOOL ELECTORAL OFFICER:………………………………………... DATE OF ELECTIONS FOR

COMPONENTS:

Complete the relevant section

SECTION A: Undisputed Elections

As the School Electoral Officer for the above-mentioned elections I declare that the election of all components were
undisputed.

Signature:…………………………… Date: …………………

SECTION B Disputed Elections

As the School Electoral Officer for the above-mentioned I declare that the following component/s of the election was/
were disputed ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

And hereby provide the detail of the said dispute/s.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

NAME OF SCHOOL ELECTORAL OFFICER: ...................................................

SIGNATURE OF SCHOOL ELECTORAL OFFICER: ........................................................

DATE........../................/.................... Tel: …………………………………..

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 Template 10

DOCUMENTS FROM OUTGOING GOVERNING BODY CHAIRPERSON TO NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNING

BODY CHAIRPERSON

(These documents are the property of the school and must be kept safely by the School Principal.)
SCHOOL:_______________________EMIS NO:_____________________ DISTRICT:_________________________

I,_________________________________(full names), the newly elected chairperson of the school governing body of
_______________________________(school’s name) hereby certify that the following documents / e-copies have
been handed over to the incoming SGB by the outgoing chairperson and or to be held in safe keeping at the school:

Mark with a cross (X)

KEY AREA ITEM where applicable

YES NO
1. LEGISLATION 1.1 The South African School Act No.84 of 1996 as amended (SASA)

1.2 Provincial Education Act

1.3 Provincial Regulations related to the governing bodies of public
schools
1.4 National norms and standards for school funding (General
Notice 869 of 2006)

1.5 Provincial Regulations Regarding the misconduct of learners at

public schools and disciplinary proceedings
1.6 National Regulation for Exemption of parents from the payment of
school fees (General Notice 1149 of 2006)
OTHER DOCU- 1.7 The Constitution of the School Governing Body
MENTS
1.8 Provincial code of conduct for SGBs

1.9 The vision and mission statement of the

School
1.10 Action plans for the following year based on the school develop-
ment plan

2. POLICIES 2.1 Admission policy

2.2 Policy regarding school sport and cultural activities

2.3 Policy regarding use of school buildings and facilities

by non-school community members

2.4 Policy on occupational health and safety

2.5 Religion policy
2.6 Language policy
2.7 HIV and AIDS policy
2.8 Code of conduct for learners
2.9 School’s policy regarding payment of school fees and the school’s
sliding scale for determining partial exemption

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 Mark with a cross (X)
KEY AREA ITEM where applicable

YES NO
3. FINANCIAL RESOURCES
3.1 Minute book
3.2 Copy of assets register of school
3.3 Cash book
3.4 Receipt book (current) (Serial number: )
3.5 Receipt book/s (completed) (Serial numbers: )
3.6 Cheque book (current) (Serial number: )
3.7 Cheque book/s (used) (Serial numbers: )
3.8 Petty cash (Amount: )
3.9 Bank statements for period 1 January to 30 June of current financial year
3.10 Documentary proof of investment (if any) e.g. MEC permission.
3.11 List of NGOs/partners approved by district and operating in schools
3.12 Copy of 10th school day statistics
3.13 Copies of contracts of all staff employed
by the Public School
3.14 Audited Financial Statements for period 1 January to 31 December of
previous Year
3.15 School’s financial policy
3.16 Approved school budget for current financial year
3.17 Resolution to Charge School Fees – if applicable

4. LEARNER PERFORMANCE
4.1 Copies of analysis of results of previous
three years (grades 1 to 12)
4.2 Strategy to improve learner performance
4.3 The school’s development plan -2018
4.4 The School Improvement Plan – current year

Outgoing SGB chairperson:

Name __________________________ Signature:___________________ Date:_____/______/________

Newly Elected SGB Chairperson:

Name _________________________ Signature: ___________________Date:_____/_____/______

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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 Template 11

ELECTION MONITORING INSTRUMENT (ELECTION DAY)

1. General Information

1.1 Name and type of school

1.2 Province
1.3 District office
1.4 Provincial official (name and designation)
1.5 District official (name and designation)
1.6 School Electoral Officer (name and designation)

2. Preparations

2.1 How long before the nomination and election notices were
sent out?
2.2 Election dates: • Learners…………………………….
• Educators…………………………...
• Member of staff………………….
• Parents……………………………...
2.3 Comment on the suitability of the venue (e.g. space, furniture
and lighting).
2.4 What is the total number of learners at the school?
2.5 Were the voters checked against the voters’ roll?
2.6 Number of parents on the voters’ roll
2.7 Number of parents who signed the voters’ roll
2.8 What is the expected quorum (15% of the parents on the voters’
roll)
2.9 Demographics of learners at the school (e.g. 60% African,
20% White, 10% Indian and 10% Coloured)

3. Nomination process

3.1 Was the quorum of 15% met? If not, when is the next election
date?
3.2 Demographics of voters at the meeting (e.g. 60% African,
20% White, 10% Indian and 10% Coloured)
3.3 Did the Electoral Officer clearly explain the nomination process?
3.4 Did the electoral officer invite further nominations?
3.5 Were the nomination forms properly completed with no raising
of hands to nominate candidates?
1.6 Total number of parents nominated:
• Gender (e.g. 9 men and 12 women)
• Racial breakdown
• People with disabilities
3.7 Were the nominees given an opportunity to introduce them-
selves

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4. Election process

4.1 Were voters given tokens to exchange for ballot papers?

4.2 Did the Electoral Officer clearly explain the election process?
4.3 Was there a ballot box?
4.4 Did the election officer verify that the ballot boxes were empty
prior to voting?
4.5 Did the voting booths allow for secret voting?
4.6 Was the counting process observed by candidates and monitors?
4.7 Were the election results announced at the meeting?
4.8 Were any noted irregularities in the elections?
4.9 Were there any grievances lodged? Provide a brief description of
the grievance and how it was resolved.
4.10 What was the demographics of voters at the meeting (e.g.
60% African, 20% White, 10% Indian and 10% Coloured)

1.11 What is the total number of parents elected:

• Gender (e.g. 4 men and 6 women)
• Racial breakdown
• People with disabilities

Additional Comments/ information/concerns

………………..................................................................................................................................................

………………..................................................................................................................................................

School Electoral Officer: …….………………………….

Signature: ……..…….… ……………….Date: ......../........./..……...

Department of Basic Education Official: ……..………………..

Signature: ....................... ……………….Date: ........./.........../............

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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 Template 12

PROVINCIAL PRE-ELECTION MONITORING INSTRUMENT A PROVINCE

1. General information

1.1 Province
1.2 Period of election
1.3 Provincial official Name: Tel: Cell:

2. Advocacy

2.1. Which radio stations are you planning to use?

2.2 How long will the messages be aired?

2.3 What are the key messages?
2.4 Which newspapers are you planning to use?
2.5 What are the key messages?
2.6 Are you going to use the posters and flyers?

2.7 What are the key messages of the posters and flyers?

2.8 What other forms of advocacy are you intending to use

(e.g. road shows)?

2.9 What was the most effective mode of advocacy in the

previous elections?

2.10 Why was it the most effective in your view?

2.11 How and when is the MEC going to launch the elec-
tions?

3. Election budget

3.1 Election budget

3.2 Source of budget

4. List of documents

NB: If some of the following documents are not available, please indicate when they will be developed:

Are the following in place?

4.1 Provincial regulations for SGBs

4.2 Code of conduct for SGB members
4.3 Samples of all templates to be used in the elections
4.4 Documents for the training of electoral officers

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 4.5 SGB elections management plan
4.6 Circulars to the districts on the SGB elections
matters
4.7 SGB election schedules from schools
4.8 Provincial monitoring tools relating to SGB elections

5. Election teams

NB: If some of the following tasks have not yet been carried out, please indicate when they will be done:

5.1 Has a provincial Election Task Team (including all stake-

holders) established?

5.2 Have the District Electoral Officers been officially

appointed in writing?

5.3 Are district election teams established?

5.4 Are school election teams established?
5.5 Have all schools been paired?
5.6 Have all election teams trained?
5.7 Who will provide the training?

6. Monitoring and evaluation

6.1 Is there a plan in place to monitor the elections?

6.2 How will it be ensured that monitoring of the elections
takes place?

6.3 How will it be ensured that data on newly elected gov-

erning bodies is captured?
6.4 Who will be responsible for the development of the
election report?

6.5 Will an external evaluation of the election process be

conducted? If so by who?

7. Physical resources

7.1 What type of venues are going to be used for

governing body elections (e.g. school hall)?

7.2 Do all schools have suitable venues

for the purpose (in terms of space,
furniture, ventilation, etc.)?

7.3 Are plans in place for availability of resources in

schools (e.g. prepare ballot boxes and voting booths)?

7.4 Will some of the physical resources be outsourced?

Please specify.

7.5 If resources are going to be outsourced, who will be

potential providers?

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Comments/additional information

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………….............................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................

Provincial Electoral Officer: …….………………………….

Signature: ……..…….… ……………….Date: ......../........./..……...

Department of Basic Education Official: ……..………………..

Signature: ....................... ……………….Date: ........./........../...........

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 Template 13

GOVERNING BODY ELECTION SCHEDULE

Province: ............................................................. District: ............................................................. Circuit: ..................................................

Year of election: .........................

Name of School Town/City Name of Contact Name of Contact Election date Second Date of Date of
School Physical School no. of School no. of election meeting to handover
address Principal School Electoral School date (if elect from
Principal Officer Electoral applicable) SGB office outgoing to
Officer bearers elected
Chairperson

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL

35
GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
 Template 14

SCHOOL READINESS MONITORING INSTRUMENT (SGB ELECTIONS)

1. Name and type of school

2. Province
3. District office
4. Provincial/ District official (name and designation)
5. Date of monitoring
6. School Electoral Officer Name:
Designation:
Twinned school:
7. Election dates: Educators:
Member of staff:
Learners:
Parents:
8. Availability of:ProvincialRegulation
SGB elections circular(s)
News letters to parents
9. Readiness of voters’ roll
10. Total number of learners in the school
11. Demographics of learners in the school (e.g. 60%
African, 20% White, 10% Indian and 10% Coloured)

12. School Electoral Team appointed and trained? Date trained:

13. Election notices (invites) sent to Parents 14 days in Date sent out:
advance?
14. Suitable venue identified? Comment in terms of size for
the expected numbers, furniture and lighting
15. Voting material prepared?
Ballot box Data projector, overhead projector or
flip chart in small schools stationery (nomination
forms, recording forms pens) Sign posts
tokens

16. Does the school has duplicating equipment for the

production of ballot papers instantly?
17. What does the school use to capture elections
information? (Computer or note book) Is there a
capturing software e.g. SASAMS or alternative software
ready for capturing information?
18. Which modes of advocacy did the school use? Collect
evidence
19. What measures are in place to ensure a quorum is met
for the parent election?

20. Full day election or Election and nomination meeting?

21. Does the school has a budget for the elections? e.g. for
catering

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SCHOOL READINESS MONITORING INSTRUMENT (SGB ELECTIONS)

NB. If the school’s principal or acting principal has been appointed as an electoral officer, please populate a similar
tool regarding the school for which such member is appointed as an electoral officer for.

Additional information/ Comments/ /Concerns

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………...............................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................

School Principal/ SMT Member: ………………………………..

Signature: ……..…….… ……………….Date: ........./........../…….....

Department of Basic Education Official: ……..………………..

Signature: ....................... ……………….Date: ........./............/............

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 Template 15

DISTRICT READINESS MONITORING INSTRUMENT (SGB ELECTIONS)

1. Province
2. District office
3. District Director Name:
Contact details:
4. District Electoral Officer Name:
Designation:
5. Does the district have: Provincial Regulation
Circulars on elections?

6. Has the District Electoral Officer been appointed in writing

7. Has the District Electoral Team receive training? Date?

8. Has the district appoint School Electoral Officer in writing?

9. Has the District trained all School Electoral Officers Date?

10. Are all schools paired? Verify evidence

11. Have all schools set two election dates? Verify

12. Has the district compiled a district schedule of election

indicating dates of all components of SGBs?

13. Is the schedule of monitors developed together with the

monitoring strategy?
14. What strategies have been put in place to ensure that all
schools advocate for the elections and keep parents informed
regularly?
15. Do all schools have voters’ rolls ready? The District must
provide evidence.
16. Which modes of advocacy did the district employ? If none,
provide reasons. Collect evidence
17. Has the district established a District Dispute Resolution
Team?
18. What systems will the district employ in recording and
reporting on election information e.g. SASAMS
19. What measures has the district put in place to support
schools that may not have resources to conduct the
elections?
20. Is there a dedicated budget for the district to conduct
elections?
21. Has any school applied for a full day election? If so how did
the district respond?

Mention the schools

22. Has the district prepare letters of recognition for the outgoing
governors?

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What are the 3 main risks of the district’s SGB Elections?

What strategies have been put in place to manage the risks?

Comments:

District Electoral Officer: ………………………………..

Signature: ……..…….… ……………….Date: ........./........../…….....

Department of Basic Education Official: ……..………………..

Signature: ....................... ……………….Date: ........./........../...........

GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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GUIDELINES RELATING TO ELECTIONS OF SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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