parents and principals as partners in creating a culture of learning

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(4) Principals, as agents of the education authority, have a responsibility to
ensure that parents fulfil their duties.
(5) In a democratic decentralised system, parents are major stakeholders and
should be able to influence school policy through representatives.
4.3.2 Conditions for genuine partnership
Kruger (1989:1) and Squelch & Lemmer (1994:91-94) refer to four conditions
which are necessary for the effective functioning of a partnership between parents
and principals. These are as follows:
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The first condition is that ofgain. The "gain" referred to here is not aimed
directly at financial gain - it is more of a joint effort aimed at forming the
educand into a productive adult of society to which the partners belong.
Secondly, the common activities of the parties should be aimed at their
"joint benefit". The common benefit both parties derive from their years
of input in regard to dedication, time and money, is the educand's
formation to maturity.
In the third place, the agreement should be placed on a legal basis to
confirm the structured division of mutual rights and duties according to
common and statutory law.
In the fourth place, each partner is expected to make a contribution to the
partnership. The parent may, for instance, make a financial, advisory or
supporting contribution, while the principal, because of his professional
preparation, makes inputs regarding the contents of subjects.