| 1.1 |
You are referred to Circular 0048/2008. The school governing body (SGB) elections are scheduled for June 2009. In consultation with provincial SGB stakeholders and the national Department of Education (DoE), a decision was taken by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to allow schools in the Western Cape to commence with their SGB election process from 1 May 2009, instead of 1 June 2009. The SGB election process will therefore take place between 1 May 2009 and 30 June 2009 to ensure that all SGB members are elected by the end of June 2009. |
| 1.2 |
The WCED wishes to thank all principals who attended the provincial SGB electoral officer training. These principals will each receive a letter and a certificate signed by their education district director certifying that they may officiate at the SGB election of a selected and/or neighbouring school. The appointment of SGB electoral officers at each school will be administered by the district electoral team. |
| 2. |
AMENDMENTS TO THE PROVINCIAL MEASURES |
| 2.1 |
The WCED has recommended a number of amendments to the Provincial Measures. The amendments are tabulated in Annexure A. |
| 2.2 |
These amendments in Annexure A were published in Provincial Notice 138/2009 of 24 April 2009. These amendments, and others, will be included as part of the full revision of the Provincial Measures in due course. |
| 3. |
DEVIATIONS FROM THE SINGLE NOMINATION-AND-ELECTION DAY PROCESS |
| 3.1 |
Schools must apply to the Head of Education for permission to deviate from the nomination-and-election day process, as stipulated in the provincial measures. |
| 3.2 |
Any deviation must, in no way, prejudice the involvement of any parents, and must be explained clearly and justified to the school community so that all understand the process to be followed. |
| 3.3 |
These conditions must be clearly detailed in the application to the Head of Education. |
| 4. |
ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL OF LEARNERS (RCL) TO THE SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY |
| 4.1 |
The RCL shall elect from its ranks two learners who shall be members of the SGB. The term of office of a member of the governing body who is a learner may not exceed one year. |
| 4.2 |
During the 2009 SGB election, new parent, educator and non-educator members will be elected. It will not be necessary to re-elect the two new RCL members serving on the SGB, as these are already in place. Their term on the SGB does not exceed one year and they are eligible to continue serving on the new SGB until the end of 2009. |
| 4.3 |
The procedure for the nomination and election of educator members, as prescribed in the Provincial Measures, shall therefore not apply to the nomination and election of learner members during the May and June 2009 SGB elections. |
| 5. |
THE SCHOOL ELECTORAL TEAM |
| 5.1 |
Principals are reminded that the school electoral team must be formed and functioning in order to plan for a successful election. Circular 0048/2008 outlines the composition of this team. |
| 5.2 |
Important functions of the school electoral team are the preparation of a voters' roll, the preparation of election venues and publicising the elections in the school community. |
| 6.1 |
It is the role of the district electoral team to oversee the election process in the education district and circuits. |
| 6.2 |
Should your school need support or have queries, do not hesitate to contact the appropriate district electoral team co-ordinator indicated below.
| |
Education district |
District electoral team co-ordinator |
Tel. no. |
| 1 |
Cape Winelands |
Mr J. van Tonder |
023 348 4680 |
| 2 |
Eden & Central Karoo |
Mr E. Magodla |
044 803 8300 |
| 3 |
Metropole Central |
Mr J. Petersen |
021 659 4300 |
| 4 |
Metropole East |
Mr Z. Conco |
021 900 7000 |
| 5 |
Metropole North |
Mr H. Botha |
021 938 3000 |
| 6 |
Metropole South |
Mr R. Job |
021 370 2000 |
| 7 |
Overberg |
Mr J. Bailey |
028 212 1730 |
| 8 |
West Coast |
Mr F. Claasen |
021 860 1200 |
|
| 6.3 |
The Provincial Electoral Team will also provide schools and SGBs with information on the handing-over process from the current to the newly elected SGB, as well as information for the newly elected SGBs. |
| 7.1 |
Various advocacy strategies are planned at national, provincial and district levels in order to encourage parents, community members, educators and non-educator staff to participate in the SGB election process at the school. |
| 7.2 |
At community level, SGB associations forming part of the provincial electoral team are undertaking the mobilisation of support, using various community structures. |
| 7.3 |
School electoral teams are encouraged to develop their own strategies to mobilise support for the coming elections at their schools. |
SIGNED: TS LINGELA
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:05:04
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