Section 5B: Regional Education Boards

5B. Regional Education Boards (1) There shall be for the purposes of this Act such number of Regional Education Boards, not exceeding 11 in number, as the Minister may determine. (2) The functions of each Education Board shall be to— (a) advise on the effective direction, promotion and development of education in the region for which it has been assigned responsibility; (b) make recommendations on the future plans and projects for education in the region; (c) advise on the improvement of the administration of schools; (d) organise and foster educational activities with the collaboration of the schools and the Parent-Teacher Associations; (e) ensure the general welfare of students; and (f) examine and make recommendations on any educational matter that may be referred to it by the Minister. (3) The Board shall consist of— (a) a Chairperson, who shall be a resident of the region having appropriate knowledge of and experience in education, to be appointed by the Minister; (b) 2 representatives of the Ministry, one of whom shall be of the rank of Senior Inspector; (c) 3 representatives of registered Parent-Teacher Associations of primary schools, one of whom shall be from a grant-aided school, and designated by the Federation of Parent-Teacher Associations of the region; (d) one representative of a registered Parent-Teacher Association of a state secondary school of the region; (e) one representative of a registered Parent-Teacher Association of a private secondary school of the region; (f) one representative from a registered pre-school of the region; (g) 8 members of whom 3 shall be heads of primary schools and 2 shall be heads of secondary schools. E2 – 7 [Issue 5] Education Act (4) The members specified in subsection (3) (c) to (g) shall— (a) be appointed by the Minister; (b) hold office for a period of 2 years; and (c) be eligible for reappointment. (5) Each Board shall have a Secretary who shall be a public officer designated by the Minister. (6) Each Board shall meet— (a) at least once every 3 months; and (b) on such other occasion as may be required by the Chairperson. (7) Eight members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. (8) In the absence of the Chairperson, the representative of the Ministry shall act as chairperson. (9) The Board may appoint such committees and co-opt to these committees such other persons, not already members of the Board, as it may deem necessary. (10) The members shall be paid such fees and allowances as the Minister may determine. (11) Subject to this section, the Board shall regulate its meetings in such manner as it may determine. [S. 5B inserted by Act 49 of 1992.]