1. This circular informs all public schools enrolling learners from Grade 8 and higher of the intentions of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to establish forums or structures for the Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs) in all eight education districts and introduces the WCED Framework for the Establishment of Forums for RCLs.

2. The attached framework informs all public schools of the processes and procedures for the establishment and functioning of RCL forums.

3. Legislative framework
3.1 The South African Schools Act (SASA), 1996 (Act 84 of 1996)
3.2 The Education Laws Amendment Act, 2001 (Act 57 of 2001)
3.3 The Western Cape Provincial School Education Act, 1997 (Act 12 of 1997)
3.4 The Determination of the Functions and Procedures for the Establishment and Election of Representative Councils of Learners at Public Schools, as published in Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 7317 of 13 October 2014

4. Section 11 of the Western Cape Provincial Schools Education Act, 1997 (Act 12 of 1997), provides for the establishment of a Western Cape Education Council which aims to advise the Provincial Minister and the WCED on provincial education matters. The council is formed by appointed and nominated members of the public involved in the education sector. The constitution of the council does not allow for the participation of RCL members.

5. The SASA provides for greater participation by learners in the democratic functioning of schools. Every public school enrolling learners in Grade 8 and higher must establish a RCL. This also highlights the fundamental constitutional principles of cooperative and participative governance. The SASA prescribes the participation of learners to serve on the governing body and that they are provided with a legitimate opportunity to play a role in school governance.

6. Neither the SASA nor any other Act provides a framework for RCL forums, although the RCL is a statutory body catered for in the SASA.

7. The WCED therefore seeks to provide forums where RCL members can have the opportunity to deliberate on issues of a common interest at both district and provincial levels.

8. The attached framework aims to assist circuits/clusters and districts to put these forums in place.

9. The framework shows how school, circuit/cluster, district and provincial structures should be elected with the expectation of serving the interests of learners at each specific level.

10. The content of the framework must be adhered to and a democratic and fair process be promoted at all times.

11. The primary reason why learners are at school should always be taken into account whenever meetings are arranged and time off from school must be kept to a bare minimum.

12. Please direct queries to the relevant district RCL Coordinator:

  • Metro East District: Ms May-Joan Swartz, tel. no. 021 900 7253
  • Metro South District: Ms Reginald Dreyer, tel. no. 021 374 4107
  • Metro North District: Mr David Leonard, tel. no. 021 938 3170
  • Metro Central District: Ms Anusha Naidoo, tel. no. 021 514 6700/6716
  • Cape Winelands District: Mr Fred Josias, tel. no. 023 348 4600
  • West Coast District: Mr Tommy Loriston, tel. no. 021 860 1200
  • Overberg District: Mr Mike Kobus, tel. no. 028 214 7368
  • Eden and Central Karoo District: Ms Sinovuyo Stofile, tel. no. 044 803 8300/8315
13. Please bring the contents of this circular and the attached framework to the attention of all concerned.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2017:04:26

WCED Framework for the establishment of forums for Representative Councils of Learners (RCLs)  (size: 77 KB)
South African Schools Act (SASA), 1996 (Act 84 of 1996)  (size: 255 KB)
Western Cape Provincial School Education Act, 1997 (Act 12 of 1997)  (size: 61 KB)
Provincial Gazette Extraordinary 7317  (size: 288 KB)