Abstract
M.Ed.
This inquiry focuses on the perception of the school and the community of the role of the governing bodies in the foundation phase schools of Soshanguve. The study was done at two foundation phase schools in block DD, which are referred to as school A and B in the study. The new education policy requires that each school should have a democratically elected governing body. The National Department of Education has provided guidelines in terms of the composition of the governing body. Governing bodies are given certain powers, however the governing body can request for more powers depending on their capacity.
The school and the community have been operating in isolation. The purpose of the governing bodies is to improve the relationship between the school and the community. One of the findings was that parents are encouraged to participate in the education of their children. The relationship between the school and the community improved as a result of the effective communicative structures of the governing bodies. The members know their roles and are able to perform their duties more effectively in both the school and the community.