Each governing body must draw up a constitution that says how it will work. The constitution must fit into the minimum requirements given by the provincial MEC for Education. The constitution must say:

• The governing body will meet at least once every school term
• A separate meeting will be held with each of these groups at least once a year: parents, learners, educators and other staff
• The governing body will report to parents, learners, educators and other staff at least once a year
• How minutes of governing body meetings must be kept

The provincial minister of education will publish these details:

• How the governing body will be elected
• How long members and office bearers may serve on a governing body
• How to remove a member from the governing body if there is a good reason for doing this
• How to fill a vacancy
• What sub-committees must be set up e.g, executive for day-to-day decisions, committees for fund-raising, finance, sport, staff appointments, school environment and health

Each committee chairperson must be a member of the governing body, but other committee members need not be on the governing body.