It was in 2000 when the identification of the need for targeted interventions in under-performing schools in South Africa, was initiated. Between 2000s to early 2010s, the process of developing the policies and frameworks to support such interventions was undertaken.

As the South African Schools Act (SASA) provides a comprehensive framework for managing public schools, the Section 58B Schools were later incorporated into this Act. Then between 2011 to 2012 it was the formal adoption and initial implementation of the Section 58B Schools Programme. During this period, the education provincial departments started methodically identifying, intervening, and supporting the under-performing schools. Since then, it has been the scaling up of the programme with more under-performing schools being identified continuously and the implementation of action plans to close the gaps and overcome challenges that were identified based on feedback and outcomes in the implementation process, were being updated and refined.

Since 2021 the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG) has been commissioned by Gauteng Department of Education as the only institute that should undertake the support of the under-performing schools. Since then, over the past years, MGSLG has been supporting the under-performing schools across the province continuously, focusing on educators and learners. However later, it was discovered that it was not enough to support only learners and educators, but to also support the School Management Team (SMTs) and School Governing Body (SGB) (Principal, Deputy Principal as well, as they are the key drivers in the decision making, to allow for improvement through the implementation of innovative teaching and learning strategies meant to improve school performance.

The MGSLG continues to reduce and support the identified under-performing schools in the Gauteng Province. This intervention process seeks to ensure that schools have the necessary support to enhance their educational outcomes.

As this is a continuous programme, on 31 May 2025, School Governing Bodies (SGBs) from the under-performing schools have been brought together at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park to be supported and guided on how to govern and support their school effectively.

The following are some of the topics that were covered during the workshop: SGB Roles and Responsibilities; How to ensure effective governance and promote accountability within a school; How to: support schools, develop school polices, manage school finances; how to foster a strong relationship between the wider community; how to support and ensure that educators are respected at school and in the community, and also how to support the principal and staff to create a stable and well managed environment, conducive to quality education.

In the main, the Section 58B School programme is meant to enhance the skills and capabilities of Teachers, School Management and School Governing Body, to sustain a long- term improvement; establish a clear accountability mechanism to ensure that the Under-performing schools make measurable progress towards their set goals.

Articulating the purpose of the workshop to the participants, Dr. Lindiwe Ginya, Head of Programmes: ECD, Leadership, Management and Governance, within MGSLG‘’ Today we are gathered here so that together we can share wisdom, experiences and intelligence that can help us to change and improve our schools. MGSLG and GDE are here to offer you support, share the values and insights.

The programme will also teach your organisational culture, how to: confront under-performance in schools, change management, and strategy development”.

Dr Ginya also emphasised to the SGB members that they should stop interfering an the management issues and put their focus on the governance issues.

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