ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 822548
DUE DATE: 17 MARCH 2025
, LCP4809
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Unique Number: 822548
Due Date: 17 March 2025
Education Law
The Role of Public Schools in the South African Education System: The Critical
Function of the Governing Body in Ensuring Quality Education
Introduction
Education is a fundamental right enshrined in the South African Constitution, and public
schools play a vital role in ensuring access to education for all learners, regardless of
their socio-economic background. The South African education system is primarily
composed of public and independent schools, with public schools being government-
funded institutions that cater to the majority of learners (Department of Basic Education
[DBE], 2020).
While public schools serve as the foundation of the education system, ensuring quality
education remains a significant challenge due to factors such as unequal resource
distribution, infrastructural deficiencies, and varying levels of governance. The
governing body of public schools, known as the School Governing Body (SGB), plays a
crucial role in addressing these challenges and ensuring effective school management,
financial administration, and policy implementation. This essay critically examines the
role of public schools in the South African education system and the significant function
of the governing body in ensuring quality education.
The Role of Public Schools in South Africa
Public schools in South Africa are designed to provide accessible and equitable
education to all learners. These institutions follow the national curriculum, the