10 Sep 2020

The Ministry of Basic Education is considering the reintroduction of the board of governors in secondary schools to provide better oversight and leadership.

Minister Fidelis  Molao told Paliament that Section 7 and 9 of the Education Act (CAP 58:01 of 1967), provided for the establishment of boards of governors in public schools and government aided Secondary schools. 

The revised National Policy on Education (RNPE) of 1994 through recommendations 118 and 119 also provided for the establishment of both Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Boards of Governors.

Mr Molao further said the boards of governors were to provide oversight on the management of schools to ensure that school heads  managed schools appropriately to deliver intended outcomes. 

While the boards of governors were meant to deal with school governance issues, Mr Molao said PTA’s would continue to support schools on daily social welfare and community engagement matters as well as ensure parents participated in their children's  education. 

He said the board of governors and the PTAs had clearly defined roles. 

The board of governors and PTAs should work efficiently together for the benefit of the schools in order to ensure that there was  role clarity, he said . 

“My Ministry has drafted Terms of Reference for Boards of Governors and PTAs to avoid conflict,” the minister added.

Gaborone Bonnington South MP,  Mr Christian Greef had asked the minister if they would consider the reintroduction of board of governors in schools that would provide the needed leadership  with particular emphasis on the management of resources given the challenges schools were faced with.