Building the profile of FEDSAS as dependable education partner is the first priority of the new provincial manager of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS) in the Northern Cape. Mr Michael Barker, well-known Bloemfontein principal, joined FEDSAS following his retirement as principal of Hoërskool Fichardtpark last year. Barker says as principal he had an excellent relationship with FEDSAS which made this position the logical next step.

The Deputy CEO of FEDSAS, Dr Jaco Deacon, says Barker’s more than three decades in education forms the perfect combination with the unique approach, programmes and services that FEDSAS offers in terms of school governance.

Barker says the biggest challenge in the vast Northern Cape is to make all the schools aware that FEDSAS is the education partner that not only serves a watchdog function in education management but also has the expertise that makes membership of FEDSAS essential. “By assisting governing bodies and the management of schools in the Northern Cape FEDSAS is fighting for the best interests of the learner and for quality education. I am looking forward to meeting the governing bodies and principals of the FEDSAS member schools. It is already clear that the people of the Northern Cape are the salt of the earth!”

Barker says regarding education in South Africa the key to success is the realisation that all role-players have to put the interests of the child first. “The child cannot wait. His time is now and they are looking at education role models with eyes full of expectation. We have the responsibility to be those passionate role models. We dare not fail.”