School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order

School Boards (Incorporation) Act

(Chapter 284A, Section 3)

School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order

O 1

REVISED EDITION 1990

(25th March 1992)

[19th May 1990]

Citation

1.  This Order may be cited as the School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order.

Establishment of governing board

2.  There shall be established a governing board to be known as the Raffles Institution Board of Governors for the purpose of conducting the school known as Raffles Institution which was established in 1823.

Governing board to conduct merged school

2A.  From 1st January 2009, the Raffles Institution Board of Governors shall conduct the school known as Raffles Institution which is formed by the merger of Raffles Institution (established since 1823) and Raffles Junior College (established on 1st January 1982).

[S 629/2008 wef 01/01/2009]

Constitution of governing board

3.  The Constitution of the Raffles Institution Board of Governors is set out in the Schedule.

THE SCHEDULE

Paragraph 3

Constitution of Raffles Institution Board of Governors

Short title

1.    This Constitution shall be known as the Constitution of Raffles Institution Board of Governors.

Interpretation

2.—(1)  In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires —

“Board” means the Raffles Institution Board of Governors;

“Bye-laws” means the bye-laws described and promulgated in accordance with Article 17;

“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board appointed in accordance with Article 3;

“Deputy Chairman” means the Deputy Chairman of the Board appointed in accordance with Article 3;

“Director-General” means the Director-General of Education;

“Financial Controller”, or such other appropriate title as the Board may decide at its discretion, means the Financial Controller of the School;

“governor” means a member of the Board;

“Principal” means the Principal of the School and “Deputy Principal”, or such other appropriate title as the Board may decide at its discretion, shall be construed accordingly;

“School” means Raffles Institution;

“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Board appointed in accordance with Article 9, and “Assistant Secretary” shall be construed accordingly.

(2)  The Interpretation Act (Cap. 1) shall apply to the interpretation of this Constitution as it applies to an Act of Parliament.

Composition of Board

3.—(1)  The Board shall consist of the following governors, all of whom shall be appointed by the Minister in accordance with this Article:

(a) the Chairman;

(b) the Deputy Chairman; and

(c) not more than 13 other governors of which up to 5 could be governors of the Board of Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) appointed in accordance with the School Boards (Raffles Girls’ School – Secondary) Order (O 2).

(2)  A governor shall —

(a) hold office for a term of 3 years or such shorter term as may be determined by the Minister; and

(b) subject to paragraph (3) be eligible for re-appointment on the expiry of his term of office.

(3)  The Minister may at any time revoke the appointment of a governor without assigning any reason.

Vacation of office of governor

4.—(1)  The office of a governor shall become vacant if the governor —

(a) resigns his office by giving notice in writing to the Minister;

(b) becomes a mentally disordered person within the meaning of the Mental Disorders and Treatment Act (Cap. 178);

(c) is adjudicated a bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors;

(d) is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty; or

(e) is absent without the permission of the Board (the granting of which shall not be unreasonably withheld) from 3 consecutive Board meetings.

(2)  If the office of a governor becomes vacant, the Minister may appoint any person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of his predecessor.

Disclosure of interest by governors

5.—(1)  A governor who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or project of the School shall disclose the nature of his interest to the Board.

(2)  The disclosure under paragraph (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board and the governor shall not take part in any deliberation of the Board with respect to that transaction or project.

(3)  For the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum, a governor shall be treated as being present at a meeting notwithstanding that under paragraph (2), he cannot vote or has withdrawn from the meeting.

Conduct of School by Board

6.—(1)  The Board shall assume the conduct of the School from 1st January 2009.

(2)  The Board shall —

(a) formulate policies for the School, to enable the Principal and his staff to provide education for the pupils of the School, which are not inconsistent with the national education policies set by the Ministry of Education;

(b) formulate policies for the recruitment of teaching staff and other employees of the School;

(c) regulate the terms and conditions of engagement of the Principal, Deputy Principal, Financial Controller, teaching staff and other employees of the School;

(d) regulate the criteria for admission of pupils to the School and determine the fees payable by the pupils or any class of pupils;

(e) promote a high standard of all round education which will enable every pupil of the School to progress towards the pupil’s overall best in character and personality development as well as academic achievements; and

(f) promote and safeguard the image, reputation and character of the School.

(3)  In addition to the powers conferred upon the Board under the Act and any other law, the Board may —

(a) provide such facilities for the pupils and staff of the School as it considers necessary;

(b) raise funds necessary for the operational and development needs of the School and for providing financial assistance to needy pupils;

(c) subject to any rules laid down by the Ministry of Education, establish scholarships, trust funds and endowments for the School and its pupils and the teaching staff;

(d) approve the terms and conditions of service of the teaching staff and other employees of the School, including terms and conditions relating to schemes of service, remuneration, leave, benefits and discipline;

(e) institute such financial control procedures as may be expedient to ensure that all funds are protected by way of controls over income, operating and capital expenditures, assets and liabilities, and are expended prudently and in the interests of the School;

(f) subject to any applicable Bye-law and the approval of the Board, do any of the following in connection, directly or indirectly, with paragraph (2) and the other sub-paragraphs in this paragraph for the benefit of the School:

(i) carry on the business of investment holding and undertake and transact all kinds of investment holding business, and in particular invest its moneys in, or otherwise acquire, hold and deal with, such property, securities or financial instruments as the Board may deem fit, including but not limited to forming and participating in the formation of entities for the holding of its assets and property; and

(ii) carry on any commercial operation or business, or acquire, undertake and dispose of any commercial operation, business or corporation; and

(g) do all such things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the discharge of its functions and powers.

(4)  The Board may form or constitute an advisory board to advise and guide the Board in its execution of its powers and conduct of its affairs under this Constitution, but such advisory board shall have no management responsibilities or duties.

Committees of Board

7.—(1)  The Board may delegate any of its powers (except the power of delegation conferred by this Article) to one or more committees consisting of such persons as the Board thinks fit.

(2)  The chairman of a committee appointed under paragraph (1) shall be a governor.

(3)  A committee appointed under paragraph (1) shall have, and may exercise and discharge, such powers, authority, duties and functions as the Board may determine.

Board meetings

8.—(1)  The Board shall meet at least 3 times a year and at such time and place as it may determine.

(2)  A meeting of the Board shall be convened by the Secretary or in his absence, by the Assistant Secretary —

(a) at the request of the Chairman to the Secretary or in his absence, to the Assistant Secretary; or

(b) at a written request, signed by at least one-third of all governors, made to the Secretary or in his absence, to the Assistant Secretary.

(3)  The quorum at any meeting of the Board shall be the number of governors, who represent not less than one-third of all governors for the time being appointed, ignoring any fraction.

(4)  If within 30 minutes from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the date that is 14 days after the time appointed for the holding of the initial meeting at the same time and place, or to such other day and at such other time and place as the Board may determine.

(5)  The Secretary or in his absence, the Assistant Secretary, shall issue notice of such adjourned meeting not less than 12 days before the holding of such an adjourned meeting.

(6)  If, at such adjourned meeting, a quorum is not present within 30 minutes from the time appointed for holding that meeting, the number of governors present thereat (which shall not be less than 2) shall form the quorum.

(7)  The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board at which he is present and, in his absence, the Deputy Chairman who is present shall preside.

(8)  In the absence of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, the governors present shall elect one of their number to preside at the meeting.

(9)  Every question before the Board shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the governors present at the meeting of the Board, but the Board’s Bye-laws may provide an alternative when there is insufficient time to hold a meeting.

(10)  The governors may participate in a meeting of the Board by telephone, radio, conference television or similar communications equipment or any other form of audio or audio-visual communication by which all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear and be heard by all other participants at all times throughout the meeting without the need for any governor to be in the physical presence of the other governor or governors, and participation in the meeting in this manner shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at such meeting and shall be counted in the quorum thereat.

(11)  All resolutions agreed by the governors in such meeting shall be deemed to be as effective as a resolution passed at a meeting in person of the Board duly convened and held, and a minute of the proceedings shall be conclusive evidence thereof and of the observance of all necessary formalities if signed by the Chairman.

(12)  The person presiding at any meeting of the Board shall have a vote and, in the case of an equality of votes, shall have a casting vote.

(13)  A resolution in writing which is circulated to all governors and signed by at least the majority of all governors for the time being appointed shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held.

(14)  Any resolution referred to in paragraph (13) may consist of several documents in the like form, each signed by one or more governors.

Secretary of Board

9.—(1)  The Board shall appoint a Secretary who shall cause proper minutes to be kept of the proceedings of the Board and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Board.

(2)  The Board shall also appoint an Assistant Secretary who shall in the absence of the Secretary carry out all duties of the Secretary.

(3)  In the absence of any appointment under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Principal shall serve as the Secretary.

Financial control

10.—(1)  The Board shall cause proper books of accounts to be kept of all moneys received and disbursed on behalf of the Board and of the assets and liabilities of the Board, and shall be responsible for the production of all financial reports concerning the Board.

(2)  All moneys belonging to the Board not required for minor disbursements shall be paid into bank accounts maintained in the name of the Board or the School, or invested or otherwise dealt with in accordance with Article 6, and all cheques drawn on such account shall be signed in accordance with any resolution of the Board.

Audit of Board’s accounts

11.—(1)  As soon as practicable after the close of each financial accounting period, the Board shall cause financial statements for that financial accounting period to be prepared, and the statements shall be audited by a firm of public accountants appointed by the Board.

(2)  The Chairman shall submit copies of the audited financial statements and auditor’s report to the Director-General and the Board.

(3)  The auditor’s working papers relating to the audit of the financial statements shall be made available to the Director-General and the Board.

(4)  The Chairman may at any time require an audit of the Board’s accounts for any period without assigning any reason.

Appointment, powers and duties of Principal, etc.

12.—(1)  The Principal shall be appointed by the Board with the approval of the Director-General and shall hold office subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

(2)  The Deputy Principal and the Financial Controller shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office subject to such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

(3)  Subject to any policies or Bye-laws formulated by the Board or such directions as may be given by the Board regarding the recruitment of the staff of the School, the Principal may appoint the teaching and other staff of the School and he may, with the approval of the Board, delegate the power (except the power to delegate under this Article) to appoint the non-teaching staff of the School to the Deputy Principal or the Financial Controller.

(4)  The Principal shall, subject to any policies, directions or Bye-laws formulated by the Board —

(a) exercise supervision over —

(i) the day-to-day management of the School;

(ii) the overall educational programme;

(iii) the teaching and other staff of the School, and the assessment, promotion and welfare and career development of such staff; and

(iv) the arrangements for instruction, finance, administration, welfare and discipline in the School;

(b) formulate policies and make decisions concerning the day-to-day affairs of the School; and

(c) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred or imposed upon him by this Constitution and any Bye-laws made by the Board in the general interests of the School.

(5)  The Principal shall submit to the Board an annual report, a statement of account of all moneys received and expended for the purposes of the School, and such other information as the Board may require in relation thereto, within 3 months after the end of the School’s financial accounting period; and a copy of the annual report, the statement of accounts and such information shall also be submitted to the Director-General.

(6)  The Principal shall furnish such reports and information on matters relating to the School as the Board may from time to time require.

(7)  The Board may at any time cause a review or an appraisal of the School to be carried out in such manner as it may determine.

Preparation of School’s budget

13.—(1)  The Principal shall prepare and submit an annual budget of the School to the Board for approval, and every such annual budget shall contain, in addition to the recurrent income and expenditure of the School, details of special needs of the School for the educational programme, staff development, special projects, furniture, equipment and building works and other needs.

(2)  Subject to such variations and directions as the Board may make or give in the interests of the School, the Principal shall administer all funds so approved by the Board for the purposes of the School.

Discipline

14.—(1)  The Principal shall be responsible for the discipline of the pupils of the School and he may appoint one or more members of his teaching staff to assist him in maintaining discipline in the School.

(2)  The Principal may after due inquiry suspend or dismiss from the School any pupil who resists school discipline or is guilty of serious misconduct.

(3)  Any pupil, or his parent or guardian (if any), who is aggrieved by any decision made by the Principal in dismissing or suspending the pupil pursuant to paragraph (2), and who wishes to appeal against that decision may, within 30 days of the decision, appeal to the Board, and the Board may constitute an Appeals Committee consisting of not less than 3 persons to hear the appeal and to report its findings and submit its recommendation (if any) to the Board.

(4)  The chairman of the Appeals Committee shall be a governor.

(5)  Notwithstanding that an appeal has been made to the Board, a decision of the Principal which is the subject of an appeal shall take effect unless or until the Board otherwise decides.

Staff discipline

15.—(1)  Subject to such directions as may be given or policies made by the Board and to any applicable Bye-laws, the Principal shall be responsible for the management, assessment of the performance, and dismissal of the teaching staff and other employees of the School.

(2)  Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no member of the staff of the School shall be dismissed for misconduct except by a decision of the Board.

(3)  Where the Principal is of the opinion that any member of the staff of the School should be dismissed for misconduct, he shall make a recommendation to the Board for that purpose, and the Board on receipt of such a recommendation shall constitute a committee consisting of 3 persons, the chairman of which shall be a governor, to inquire into the matter and to report its findings and submit its recommendation (if any) to the Board.

School’s premises

16.—(1)  The Principal shall be responsible for the proper maintenance of the buildings and grounds of the School.

(2)  The Principal may, subject to the directions of the Board, allow any person or organisation to use the buildings, grounds and facilities of the School at such times, for such purposes and at such charges as the Principal may determine, except that he shall not allow any use which is incompatible with the image, reputation and character of the School and the policies of the Ministry of Education.

Bye-laws

17.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Board may from time to time, make such Bye-laws as may be necessary or expedient for the administration and regulation of the affairs of the School or for carrying out the functions and duties of the Board.

(2)  Without prejudice to the generality of any of the Bye-laws referred to in paragraph (1), the Bye-laws may prescribe or provide for all or any of the following matters:

(a) the proceedings of the Board and the carrying out or execution of its rights, duties and responsibilities;

(b) the conduct of the investment holding activities or commercial operations and business of the School;

(c) the administration and regulation of the financial and administrative matters concerning the School;

(d) the manner of appointment, management, assessment and dismissal, and the conditions of service, of the teaching staff and other employees of the School;

(e) any matter which by this Constitution is required or permitted to be prescribed by Bye-laws; and

(f) matters incidental to or consequential upon any of the matters referred to in this Article.

[S 629/2008 wef 01/01/2009]

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order

 

This Legislative History is provided for the convenience of users of the School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order. It is not part of this Order.
1.	G. N. No. S 219/1990—School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order 1990
	Date of commencement	:	Date not available
2.	1990 Revised Edition—School Boards (Raffles Institution) Order
	Date of operation	:	25 March 1992
3.	G. N. No. S 629/2008—School Boards (Raffles Institution) (Merger with Raffles Junior College) (Amendment) Order 2008
	Date of commencement	:	1 January 2009