Education Law & Policy: Schools Act (South Africa)

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the principles of public administration outlined in the Constitution?

To disregard the needs of the people

To provide unfair advantages to certain groups

To promote and maintain a high standard of professional ethics (correct)

To ignore the principles of transparency and accountability

What is an example of a function that a governing body may apply to the HoD to be allocated?

To manage the school's budget without any oversight

To appoint the principal of the school

To employ educators without consulting the HoD

To determine the extra-mural curriculum of the school (correct)

What is a principle of public administration that aims to address the imbalances of the past?

To prioritize the needs of certain groups over others

To promote equity and redress the imbalances of the past (correct)

To ensure that all educators are treated unfairly

To ignore the needs of marginalized communities

What is an example of a resource that a governing body may be allocated to manage?

School buildings and grounds Signup and view all the answers

What is a value that public administration must promote and maintain?

A high standard of professional ethics Signup and view all the answers

What is a principle of public administration that ensures that the needs of the people are responded to?

To respond to the needs of the people Signup and view all the answers

What is a key responsibility of the principal in managing the school?

Implementing educational programmes and curriculum activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the principal's role in relation to the Head of Department?

The principal acts as the representative of the Head of Department Signup and view all the answers

According to the South African Schools Act, what is a public school in terms of legal capacity?

A juristic person with limited legal capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of the governing body of a public school?

To function in terms of a constitution that complies with minimum requirements Signup and view all the answers

What is the principal's role in supporting the governing body?

The principal assists the governing body with a range of activities Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for determining norms and standards for school funding and governance for public schools with a specialised focus?

The Minister Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the principal's management of educators and support staff?

Supervising educators and support staff Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the governing body in a public school?

To stand in a position of trust towards the school and perform functions as prescribed by the Act Signup and view all the answers

What is a key responsibility of the principal in terms of school records?

Safe keeping of all school records Signup and view all the answers

What type of public school provides education with a specialised focus on talent?

A public school that provides education with a specialised focus on talent Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the principal's role in relation to the Head of Department?

The principal performs functions delegated by the Head of Department Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for the provision of public schools for the education of learners?

The Member of the Executive Council Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for the professional management of a public school?

The principal under the authority of the Head of Department Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of the principal's role in supporting the governing body?

The principal's assistance is subordinate to instructions from the Head of Department Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Provision of Public Schools - Section 12

The Member of the Executive Council must provide public schools for the education of learners using funds allocated by the provincial legislature.
Public schools may include hostels for learners' residential accommodation.
Types of public schools include ordinary public schools, public schools for learners with special education needs, and public schools with a specialized focus on talent (e.g., sport, performing arts, or creative arts).

Status of a Public School - Section 15

Every public school is a juristic person with legal capacity to perform its functions according to the Act.
A juristic person is an entity with legal personality, such as a company or organization, which can make limited legal decisions.

Governance and Professional Management of Public Schools - Section 16

Governance of a public school is vested in its governing body, which must perform functions and obligations prescribed by the Act.
The governing body stands in a position of trust towards the school.
The principal, under the authority of the Head of Department, is responsible for the professional management of a public school.

Basic Values and Principles of Public Administration - Section 195 of the Constitution

Public administration must be governed by democratic values and principles, including:
- Promoting high professional ethics
- Efficient, economic, and effective use of resources
- Development-oriented public administration
- Impartial, fair, and equitable service delivery
- Involving the public in policy-making
- Accountability and transparency
- Good human-resource management and career-development practices
- Broad representation of the South African people in public administration

Allocated Functions of Governing Bodies - Section 21

A governing body may apply to the Head of Department for allocation of functions, including:
- Maintaining and improving school property
- Determining extra-mural curriculum and subject options
- Purchasing textbooks and educational materials
- Providing adult basic education and training classes

Functions and Responsibilities of the Principal - Section 16A

The principal represents the Head of Department in the governing body.
The principal's responsibilities include:
- Implementing educational programs and curriculum activities
- Managing educators and support staff
- Managing learning support materials and equipment
- Performing delegated functions from the Head of Department
- Keeping school records
- Implementing policy and legislation
- Supporting the governing body with various activities

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Description

This quiz covers Section 12 of the South African Schools Act, focusing on the provision of public schools and hostels for learners. It explores the role of the Member of the Executive Council and the provincial legislature in providing education funds.