Abstract
M.Ed.
Chapter one was mostly concerned with the statement of the problem, setting out the aims of the research, clarification of concepts as well as the methodology to be implemented. Chapter two focused on the contributions of various researchers in different countries, on the adoption of a code Conduct for learners. The functions of the school governing bodies were also outlined. The countries that were discussed are the United States of America, England and Wales, Uganda and South Africa. These countries *experience challenges on issues pertaining to the composition, learner discipline and functions of the school governing bodies. From the literature consulted, it came out that there is a need for conceptualisation of the development of school governing bodies. Attention needs to be focused on efficiency and effectiveness of school governing bodies to improve their performance. The literature revealed that there is a need to discipline learners by developing an overall school policy, where a code of conduct for learners should be explained in details. A code of conduct will lead to positive learning and personal development (paragraph 2.3).
The study also revealed that there were almost similar structures of school governing bodies in the countries that were discussed, .that is, the United States of America, England and Wales, Uganda and South Africa. The state controls and manages education in the said countries. But, most of the controlling powers have been delegated to the Ic-al school governing bodies (paragraphs 2.4.1,2.5.1 and 2.5.2.1). The design of the research instrument as well as the empirical investigation was conducted in chapter three. Queitionnaires were designed to asses the respective impressions of parents, principals, educators, non-educators and learners serving in
the school governing bodies (see APPENDIX A). Questionnaires were sent to 1 000 respondents and 88% of them were returned. Most of the respondents considered the items on the adoption of a code of conduct for learners to be important. The analysis and interpretation of the empirical data was discussed in chapter four. From the research conducted it can be concluded that the functions of the school governing bodies revolve around the construct of co-operative governance, governance of non-educators, governance of educators, governance of the community, governance as policy and governance of the learners. Al! these construct shown to have construct validity and high reliability and could thus serve as a basis for developing a code of conduct for learners.