Education

My department has informed me of the following:

          (a)    The aim of the school “Basic Functionality Tool” is to measure the improvement of school functionality levels over time. Schools that have all the criteria in place are considered as a fully functional school as the indicators impact on the quality of education offered at every school.

There are 10 school functionality criteria identified:

1. The school has a permanent principal who is leading a unified School Management Team (SMT).
2. All vacancies are filled and/or there are contingency plans for vacant posts.
3. A positive school culture is evident - secure, clean and functional school.
4. All the necessary timetables, year and term planners are in place and adhered to.
5. Staff and learners are present and punctual.
6. Clear functional structures and monitoring processes are in place (e.g. curriculum, sport and culture).
7. All required policies, registers and records are in place.
8. Good relationships are evident and functional (SMT, staff, governing body, parents, etc.)
9. Poor performance is dealt with appropriately.
10. A variety of afterschool activities are in place.

(b)    1049 schools were sampled in 2021/2022.

 

         415 schools met all the requirements in the 2021/2022 financial year. 

(c)    (i)      634 schools did not meet all the requirements in the 2021/2022 financial year.

(ii)    

 

Number of criteria met	Number of schools
90%	292
80%	203
70%	58
60%	35
50%	19
40%	11
30%	9
20%	4
10%	3
Total	634

 

 

(iii)    The majority of the schools had a high level of compliance (70% and above, i.e. meeting 7 or more of the criteria).

          It is important to note that the tool is a snapshot of schools at a certain time, and that their compliance may have improved shortly thereafter.

          For instance, a school may now have a permanent principal in place now, but on the date of the study, the position was being recruited. This would have affected their score.