School governance and gender equity: the role of SGBS in foundation phase education

This article explores the role of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in promoting gender equity in Founda-tion Phase education within the Vhembe District of Limpopo, South Africa. Although national education policies emphasise gender equity, their implementation at the school level, particularly in rural areas, remains inadequate due to entrenched socio-cultural norms and a lack of awareness among key stake-holders. The core problem identified is the limited understanding and inconsistent application of gender equity principles by SGBs, which negatively impacts girls’ access to, participation in, and retention within Foundation Phase education. This research aimed to assess the extent to which SGBs contribute to ad-vancing gender-equitable practices in early schooling. Employing a qualitative research approach and a case study design, the article collected data through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Participants included 16 individuals comprising SGB members, Foundation Phase educators, and school principals from four purposefully selected rural primary schools. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data, while the article ensured trustworthiness through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Ethical standards were strictly observed, including informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity. Findings revealed that most SGBs lack sufficient training and knowledge of gender equity frameworks, which hampers their capacity to support inclusive practices effectively. Persistent socio-cultural attitudes in communities often influence the priorities and decision-making processes of SGBs, further limiting progress in gender equity. The article recommends that comprehensive gender equity training be integrated into SGB development programmes. Schools should actively engage communities to reshape traditional beliefs that hinder gender-equitable education. While SGBs possess the potential to foster gender equity, achieving this requires coordinated support, ongoing capacity-building, and col-laboration with local communities to address deep-rooted cultural barriers.