The provincial education department can decide to give additional management functions to school governing bodies that function well and have proved themselves capable of improving their schools.

The South African Schools Act identifies two kinds of schools: Section 20 and Section 21 schools. Section 21 schools have greater powers and responsibilities than Section 20 schools, especially for financial management and purchasing. Section 20 schools receive allocations of textbooks and stationery from government. They also have their lights and water accounts paid directly by government. When something is broken at the school, the Provincial Education Department must send someone from Public Works to do the repairs.

Section 21 allows a school to apply in writing to the Head of Department for additional powers. This gives more independence and responsibility to the SGB, but SGBs are encouraged to make applications only if they have the capacity required to manage these additional functions and increased responsibility.

Section 21 schools are allocated finances by the department for additional functions which include:

• Maintaining and improving the school’s property, and buildings and grounds
• Deciding on the extra-mural curriculum of the school as well as the choice of subject options
• Purchasing textbooks, educational materials or equipment for the school;
• Paying for services to the school

Section 21 school SGBs may also raise money to employ additional staff or educators – these are often called SGB posts.