Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools

Last updated

Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools
Formation1993 (1993)
Location
Membership
2,000
CEO
Dr. Jaco Deacon
Website www.fedsas.org.za
Formerly called
Federation of State Aided Schools

The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS), is one of several recognised voluntary associations of school governing bodies [1] (SGBs) in South Africa contemplated in the South African Schools Act, 1996. [2] [3] It was founded in 1993, before SGBs were mandated by the 1996 act, [4] as an association of predominantly Afrikaans-medium schools then accommodating white South Africans. [5]

After the first democratic elections in South Africa, it became a national representative organisation for school governing bodies across all races and official languages, which informs, organises, mobilises and develops its members to achieve and uphold the highest recognised international educational standards. It serves on National and Provincial Consultative Forums with education role players and the Department of Basic Education.

FEDSAS has been a recognised opinion leader and role-player in public education at national and provincial level for more than 28 years. [6] The National Office is situated in Bloemfontein with provincial offices in all 9 provinces. The organisation assists school governing bodies across the entire spectrum of school governance, including staff appointments, labour relations, strategic planning and financial management. FEDSAS stays informed about changes and restructuring in education and advise its members accordingly. It functions as a democratic, non-political organisation and its members elect their leaders annually.

As of 2022, its membership comprises the SGBs of over 2,000 public schools, including all 11 official languages single-medium and dual-medium schools. [2] [7] FEDSAS has defended Afrikaans linguistic rights in several cases, but advocates that every learner should receive education in their mother-tongue. [8] [9] [2] [10] [11]

Leadership

Jaco Deacon (CEO) 2021 -

Shaun Mellors (Chairperson of National Council) 2021 -

Paul Colditz (CEO) 2007-2021

Erhard Wolf (Chairperson of National Council) 2009 - 2021 Dr. Shaun Mellors (2022 - )

See also

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References

  1. "School Governing Bodies: Play Your Part". Department of Basic Education Republic of South Africa.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gauteng targeting Afrikaans school – Fedsas". IOL. SAPA. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. "South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996". Department of Basic Education. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  4. van Wyk, Noleen (2007). "The rights and roles of parents on school governing bodies in South Africa". International Journal About Parents in Education. 1: 132–139. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  5. "Review of School Governance in South African Public Schools". Department of Basic Education. December 2003. pp. 187–188. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  6. "Minister of Basic Education praises FEDSAS for 25 years as 'reliable and respected education partner'; promises greater focus on community involvement". www.fedsas.org.za. 25 November 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  7. Lubbe, Johan; du Plessis, Theodorus (2014). South African Language Rights Monitor 2010: Ninth report on the South African Language Rights Monitor Project. AFRICAN SUN MeDIA. p. 14. ISBN   9781920382575 . Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  8. "Ermelo High School v MDE (Language policy) - Constitutional Court Judgment" (PDF). SAFLII - Southern African Legal Information Institute. 14 October 2009.
  9. "International Mother Language Day". 4 October 2018.
  10. Giandomenico, Sica, ed. (2006). Open Problems in linguistics and lexicography. Monza: Polimetrica. p. 90. ISBN   9788876990519 . Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  11. Liebenberg, Sandra (2010). Socio-Economic Rights: Adjudication under a transformative constitution. Claremont: Juta. p. 512. ISBN   9780702184802 . Retrieved 18 October 2014.