Ikhwezi Primary School (Manguzi Ward: Obonjeni D: 2008

Background, Motto, Vision and the Constitution

BACKGROUND

Ikhwezi is a Zulu word meaning a morning star. The school was named solely to ensure that the school provides light to the disadvantaged people of KwaNgwanase/Maputaland. Our school is a brainchild of the Dutch Reform Church. It was established in 1992 and it was operating as kindergarten. The school is currently registered as a Non Profit Organization (NPO) with the Department of Social Welfare.

The Department of Education (KZN) registered the school as a section 20 institution. Our school is currently pursuing teaching from Pre Grade R to Grade 4.

For the purpose of accelerated attainment of quality education the Crèche and the Primary normally share resources for the benefit of the learners.

Mrs. Rose Sihlangu has been behind any successful project that transpired since the school was initiated. Her efforts are countless.

In January 2008 a newly appointed Mr. Party Mmeliwezwe Vumase assumed duties as a Headmaster of the Primary School. Our school is under resourced, with dilapidated buildings. Same buildings are not enough to accommodate all our needy learners that is why we have Multigrades classes i.e. Pre Grade R and Grade R share one Class. Grade 1 and Grade 2 also share another class together, whilst Grade 3 and Grade 4 also share single room.

All in all we have only 3 classrooms.

MOTTO

"We are a dawn bringer" Siletha ukusa

IKHWEZI PRIMARY SCHOOL'S VISION

To provide and equip our disadvantaged learners with necessary skills to face the global village and making our learners true responsible citizens of the world.

MISSION STATEMENT IKHWEZI PRIMARY SCHOOL

We aim to create new paths in learning, doing and serving by:-

Placing learning first in everything we do.
Emphasizing the importance of developing computer and language skills in our learners.
Offering cultural and sport environment that will create more opportunities for learners.
Developing our school premises fully.

THE CONSTITUTION OF IKHWEZI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Adopted on the 30 April 2008 at a duly constituted meeting of the members of the Governing Body of IKHWEZI PRIMARY SCHOOL.

Preamble

In terms of the S A schools Act, no. 84 of 1996 IKHWEZI PRIMARY was declared a section 20 public school. Under this legislation, certain powers, functions and duties are invested in the Governing Body to determine the ethos, character and philosophy of the school. The effective management and organization of the school through its
Governing Body, and other matters to its operation, are embodied in this Constitution.

Legal status

The school is a juristic person, with legal capacity to perform its functions in terms of the SA schools Act.

Composition

The Governing body shall consist of ten (10) elected members, and a maximum of five (5) co-opted members. The school Principal is not elected to the SGB, but is automatically a member.

Members of the Governing Body shall include the following:-

Principal
Two (1) Educator
One (1) Non-Educator
Six (7) Parents

Term of office

The term of office of each elected member (except the learner member) shall be a maximum of three (3) years at which time the member must voluntarily resign. Members may be re-elected.

The term of each co-opted member shall be a maximum of one (1) year at which time the member must voluntarily resign. Should the committee agree, the member may be co-opted for an additional term.

Objectives

The main objectives of the school are in line with the mission statement and are to educate and prepare our children to do the following:-
1. Prepare for and accept the challenges and demands of a changing society and
2. Play a meaningful role therein.
Governance and management
Governance

Subject to the SA Schools Act, the governance of the school is vested in the Governing Body and it therefore stands in a position of trust towards the school.

Powers of the Governing Body
In terms of the SA Schools Act, the Governing Body shall:-

Determine the admission policy of the school
Determine the language policy of the School
Determine the policy for religious policy of the school
Set school fees and ensure the collection of school fees;
Join voluntary association(s) representing governing bodies of public schools.

Functions of the Governing Body

In terms of the SA Schools Act, the Governing Body shall:

Promote the best interests of the school and strive to ensure its development through the provision of quality education for learners;
Adopt a code of conduct for learners;
Develop a mission statement;
Support the Principal, Educators and other staff of the school in the performance of their professional functions.
Determine times of the school day consistent with any applicable conditions of employment of staff;
Administer and control the school's property, and buildings and grounds;
Encourage parents, learners, educators and other staff to render voluntary services to the school.
Recommend the appointment of educators to the Head of Department (of the provincial department), subject to the Educators Employment Act of 1994, the Labor Relations Act 1995 (no 66), and the Employment equity Act 1998 (No: 55)
Recommend the appointment of non-educator staff to the Head of Department, subject to the Public Service Act 1994 and the labor relations Act 1995;
Allow the reasonable use under fair conditions of the facilities of the school for educational programmes not conducted by the school;
Meet at least every three months;
Keep minutes of its meetings
On request, make the minutes of meetings available for inspection by the Head of Provincial Department of Education;
Prepare an annual budget;
Establish and administer a school fund into which all money received by the school must be paid;
Raise revenues including voluntary contributions to the school in cash or in kind;
Open and maintain a banking statements;
On request by an interested party, make annual financial statements available for inspection;
Annually report to parents, learners, educators and other staff;
Convene annual meetings respectively with parents, educators and other staff

Management

The Principal within the authority of the Head of Provincial Department undertakes the management of the school. This duty is executed in collaboration with the school's Management Team.

Election of members to Governing Body

The election of members shall be determined by way of a secret ballot to be conducted at an appropriate time as set out in the Provincial regulations. The Provincial regulations detail matters relating to the following:

The eligibility of members and voters;
Nominations and candidates;
Electoral officers;
Voting and counting, and
Appeals and grievances

The Governing body should be aware of the above and should comply with regulations.

Election of Office bearers

Once the Governing body has been elected and co-opted, office bearers need to be appointed. At the first meeting of the Governing Body, office bearers must therefore be elected. A minimum of four is required as follows:

A chairperson
A vice-chairperson
A secretary; and
A treasurer.

The Principal of the school shall preside at any meeting convened to elect the Chairperson.

Only elected members of the SGB (and not those who are co-opted) may be Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

Meeting of the SGB

Notification

The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Chairperson, determine the venue, date and time of any meeting, and shall notify each member in writing, at least 7 days prior to the meeting, stating the nature of the business to be transacted.

The SGB shall meet at least once during a school term.

Proceedings

Subject to the provisions of the SA Schools Act and the provincial legislation, the SGB shall determine its own rules relating to the format and procedures at meetings.

Quorum

The Majority of the members (50% plus one) of the SGB form a quorum.

Proxy votes

Any SGB member who cannot attend a meeting shall be entitled to issue a written and signed proxy to any other member of the SGB if a particular motion is to be subject to a vote. Such other member shall be given authority to vote for the non-attending member.

Recusal

Where a matter affecting the personal interests of a member is discussed, the member shall withdraw and leave the meeting of the duration of the discussion.

Voting

All decisions of the SGB shall be taken by a majority vote, i.e. showing of hand s unless a secret ballot is requested.

The Secretary shall record the minutes of every meeting in the language determined by the Governing Body.

Minutes

The Secretary shall record the minutes of every meeting in the language determined by the SGB

Duties of the Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside over meetings of the SGB. The role of the Chairperson is to allow the meeting to proceed timeously but allowing for worthwhile discussions.

Duties of the Vice-Chairperson

The Vice-Chairperson would be required to stand in during the absence of the Chairperson, and to assume all the appropriate duties.

Duties of the Secretary

The Secretary should deal with correspondence, take minutes, ensure safekeeping of all official documentation, and provide assistance where necessary. Furthermore, the secretary must ensure all members are notified of meetings in good time. Minutes of the previous meeting and proposed agenda should be circulated to all members well in advance. Minutes should be pasted into a book (so that they cannot be removed). The previous meeting's minutes must be signed b the Chairperson as a true record of that meeting's outcomes.

Duties of the Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for all procedures and transactions regarding the school's income, expenditure and assets, including other duties. The Treasurer must keep each year's balance sheet and general ledger copies of all bank statements, original checkbooks and stubs, and budgets.

Vacancies on the SGB

If a vacancy arises as a result of the departure of he educator or support staff representative, the Principal shall officiate, as electoral officer and arrange a meeting in terms of the regulations in order to elect a new member for the remainder of the term.

Should a vacancy arise as a result of the departure of a parent, the vacancy will be filled at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) for parents. A co-opted member may be given voting rights for a fixed time frame to fill the vacant post.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Chairperson of the SGB is required to call a General Meeting for all at least once a year.

The quorum at each AGM shall be the lesser of either (a) 15% of the total number of parents of the school or (b) 25 parents of the school.

Funding

Our school is a no-fee school, which means parents must not pay for tuition. Parents would only pay for special projects like Transport from home to school for learners, Trips, and other special projects authorized by the SGB. The SGB shall prepare a school budget for each year.

Financial Records

The SGB shall keep all records of funds received and spent, and of its assets, liabilities and financial transactions, as well as draw up financial statements for presentations to the parents at the AGM.

Audit

The SGB shall appoint a registered auditor to audit the records and financial statements of the school, and submit a copy of the auditor's report to the HOD within months after the end of the financial year.

Financial year

Financial year of the school commences on 1 January and ends on 31 December.