Van Tonder, S. P.Rabela, Edwin Zanele2018-11-202018-11-202002-01http://hdl.handle.net/11660/9540This research study presents an investigation into secondary school principal' s perceptions of the role and influence of School Governing Bodies (SGB's) in school governance and managementin the disadvantaged communities in South Africa. The methodology employed in this investigation include a literature study on school governance and management, the duties of School Governing Bodies and school principals in this regard as well as all the possible management styles principals of secondary schools may employ in their day-to-day management of their respective schools. An opinion survey of secondary school principals' views of the role and influence of School Governing Bodies on their own day-to-day management of these schools was subsequently undertaken by means of a questionnaire that was completed by a relatively small sample of ten principals of secondary schools in the Mangaung area: An area occupied by a black community that is still referred to as previously disadvantaged. The results of the survey were finally interpreted in terms of four research questions pertaining to the problem being investigated. The major conclusion the researcher has made, was that secondary school principals in the so-called previously disadvantaged communities are seemingly influenced by the way their respective School Governing Bodies govern these schools. It was therefore found that there is a relative relationship between the management styles employed by these principals and the way the School Governing Bodies perform their duties. As far as the recommendations for this research study are concerned, the researcher was able to formulate a variety of recommendations for various stakeholders with either a direct or indirect influence on the management and governance of secondary schools in the disadvantaged communities in South Africa. These stakeholders include the principals of secondary schools as well as their respective SGB's. Recommendations for other education authorities at district, provincial and national level were formulated, while a number of general recommendations for all stakeholders were also possible. Effective management and good governance are the corner stones for successful teaching and learning and therefore require concerted efforts of all stakeholders and interest parties.enSchool Governing Body (SGB)School principalSchool governanceSchool managementSecondary schoolLeadership styleManagement styleFree State Department of EducationSouth African Schools Act (No. 84 of 1996)Educational managementDissertation (M.Ed. (Management Education))--University of the Free State (South Campus), 2002DissertationUniversity of the Free State