A Community Appeal

 

It is encouraging to note that more and more Muslim parents have over the years taken interest in how the education of their children takes place. By participating in SGBs, they make their expertise, experiences and leadership skills positive contributions to the efforts of building stronger institutions for our communities.

 

School Governing Bodies (SGBs) as part of structures of our national basic education system. SGBs are empowered with extensive functions such as the day-to-day running of schools, appointment and promotion of educators, the school ethos, curriculum, school hours and the future direction of the school.

 

The relevant legislation that brought SGBs into being, allows the direct involvement of parents in the education of their children. Muslim parents are particularly advised to become actively involved in the SGBs so that our contribution to education in South Africa is meaningful and sensitive to the values we hold as fundamental.

 

Our experience has shown that even when certain rights are legislatively guaranteed, there are circumstances when interventions are required for our Dīni ethos pertaining to such matters as madrasah times, Islamic attire and religious education, to be respected and honoured. It is therefore important to ensure that our Dīni needs are not encroached upon, through our engagement at such forums as SGBs.

 

At SGBs, participating parents are able to influence decisions, inform others about needs of Muslim learners and articulate shared values that other parents can identify with, and thereby expand the scope of common understanding.

 

The ministerial announcement gazetted on 6 November 2020 declared the 2021 School Governing Body Elections to be from 1 to 31 March 2021. We urge all parents to participate in these elections, not only to take positions but also to support candidates with qualities that will advance the interests of the communities, through education.

 

Civic duty requires of us to participate, in our own interest and the wider society’s.

 

Issued by:

Jamiatul Ulama South Africa
Johannesburg

 

05 March 2021