The South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996 mandates that secondary school learners, who are members of the Representative Council for Learners, should be part of school governance through participation in school governing bodies. But they are often not afforded a full opportunity to participate in crucial decisions by the adult members of…

This article focuses on student leadership and transformation because of the belief that a) students have a tremendous influence on the academic leadership of an institution, and b) students themselves form part of this academic leadership--whether they are formally recognized for it or not--and can transform it in significant ways. The article…

This article addresses the importance of training students in leadership skills to the benefit of the community's well-being, with emphasis on the positive and negative roles sometimes served by student leaders in schools for Blacks in South Africa and with examples of positive leadership training programs. (DB)

Five papers look at facets of leadership and its development in the schools. The first paper, "The Development of Pupil Leadership" by Joe Cawood, looks at definitions of giftedness which include leadership, and offers an inverted pyramid model of leadership development in schools. The second paper, "Class-Based and Subject-Related…

Student leadership can become a malevolent force which can destroy or undermine individuals as well as the school community. Student leaders' roles in schools can also, however, be benevolent, leading to both personal development and school/community development. In schools for blacks in South Africa, black power and student power may combine to…