| 1. |
Section 11 (1) of the South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 of 1996) states that a representative council of learners (RCL) must be established at every public school enrolling learners in Grade 8 and higher. |
| 2. |
Each school is requested to ensure that the election of an RCL takes place. |
| 3. |
The RCL is one of the most important partners in ensuring sound teaching and learning in a school. Teacher liaison officers (TLOs), therefore, must make sure that they assist in developing the skills of RCL members through leadership training initiatives aligned with youth development programmes. |
| 4. |
To ensure that the RCLs begin to function as early as possible in 2013, it is recommended that RCL elections for 2013 take place between 1 November 2012 and 31 January 2013. |
| 5. |
The school electoral team |
| 5.1 |
A school electoral team must be formed to ensure that early planning for a successful RCL election commences. |
| 5.2 |
School electoral teams are encouraged to develop their own advocacy strategies to encourage learners to participate in the elections and to ensure that capable candidates are elected. Such advocacy strategies should include the dissemination of criteria for choosing suitable learner members. |
| 5.3 |
Principals must ensure that, in compliance with the law, two RCL members are elected to serve on the school governing body as from 1 March 2012. |
| 6. |
After the election of new RCL |
| 6.1 |
On completion of the election, schools are requested to complete the Annexure A form on the RCL file and submit it to the district RCL co-ordinator. On receipt of these completed forms, the district RCL co-ordinator must e-mail each school’s list of elected RCL members to Ms Zoliswa Lonja at Zoliswa.Lonja@westerncape.gov.za |
| 6.2 |
As part of its capacity building, the newly elected RCL must undergo an induction programme, which will begin on 1 February 2013 and will be conducted by the district RCL co-ordinator. |
| 6.3 |
Principals must ensure that a proper hand-over process is followed in each school that has an RCL. |
| 6.4 |
Principals are encouraged to arrange inauguration ceremonies. This could be done at, for instance, an assembly or special event attended by parents. Schools are strongly encouraged to participate in district-organised induction activities as these promote social interaction among learners. |
| 6.5 |
TLOs are urged to train RCLs to initiate programmes that are in line with the vision and mission of their school. Documents such as the Bill of Responsibilities, the Values in Action Manual for SGBs and RCLs, and the Guidelines for the Implementation of Peer Programmes for Learners in SA Schools can be used to improve the effectiveness of RCLs. Copies of the above-mentioned documents are attached for ease of reference. It is not expected of a school to make copies for all members of the RCL. |
| 7. |
Should schools have any enquiries about RCL elections, they may contact the relevant district RCL co-ordinator below:
| |
West Coast: |
Mr Freddie Claassen, tel. 021 860 1200 |
| Overberg: |
Ms Yolanda Bailey, tel. 028 214 7372 |
| Eden & Central Karoo: |
Mr Benjamin Jantjies, tel. 044 803 8361 |
| Metro East: |
Ms Phumla Bam, tel. 021 900 7000 |
| Metro South: |
Ms Kay Spiers, tel. 021 782 6102 |
| Metro North: |
Ms Florence Kotze, tel. 021 938 3004 |
| Metro Central: |
Dr Sandren Naidoo, tel. 021 514 6717 |
| Cape Winelands: |
Mr Leon Rousseau, tel. 028 214 7372 |
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| 8. |
Please bring the content of this minute to the attention of all concerned. |
SIGNED: J H LYNERS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR–GENERAL: INSTITUTION DEVELOPMENT & CO-ORDINATION
DATE: 2012:10:03
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