A strong focus on community involvement is a key activity that government and the Department of Basic Education have not been paying enough attention.

The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angie Motshekga says policy changes and institutional reorganisation were key focus areas of the Department over the years. “As a result we have not involved communities in basic education to the extent that is required for public schools to function properly. There is still a big gap between functioning and dysfunctional schools.”

Motshekga was the keynote speaker at a gala dinner to celebrate the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools’ (FEDSAS) 25th anniversary. The event took place in Bloemfontein on Friday evening (23 November 2018). Motshekga referred to FEDSAS as a reliable and respected education partner and said that cooperation of this nature is required to get parents and the broader school community involved in education. She said government has reprioritised education as a top priority but committed and knowledgeable education leaders are required to reach this goal. Motshekga praised FEDSAS for the work that the organisation does to equip school governing bodies and, by extension, school communities. “Your success is proof that South Africans can work together for the benefit of the country.”

FEDSAS’ National Chairperson, Mr Erhard Wolf says FEDSAS and the Department of Basic Education share the view that education plays an important role in a developing society. “FEDSAS has always been of the opinion that cooperation between role-players is the key to success. It is therefore good to hear that Ms Motshekga shares our view and that she appreciates FEDSAS’ role.”

FEDSAS CEO, Mr Paul Colditz agrees that education is a team sport. “When role-players work together at policy and management level, cooperation between parents and school governing bodies as well as schools and school communities will follow.” Colditz thanked Motshekga for the positive professional relationship between her Department and FEDSAS.

“FEDSAS’ vision is to promote quality education in public schools. Because this vision guides all our decisions and activities, FEDSAS is successful as a leader in school governance and the organisation enjoys the respect of other education role-players. It is to be expected that role-players will have different goals but the destination should be the same. Over the years FEDSAS has been successful in adapting to change without losing sight of the destination. This will remain our approach,” says Colditz.
 
PHOTO (FEDSAS25): From left to right: Mr Erhard Wolf (FEDSAS’ National Chairperson), Ms Lynette Francis (Programme Leader), Mr Paul Colditz (FEDSAS’ CEO), Ms Angie Motshekga (Minister of Basic Education) and Dr Jaco Deacon (FEDSAS’ Deputy CEO).
 
(FEDSAS is a voluntary association of school governing bodies of public schools and supports quality education in these schools. More than 2000 public schools are already members of FEDSAS).