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Media Release

16 April, 2009

Western Cape prepares for SGB elections

Statement by Yousuf Gabru, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

Parents of children of school-going age will go to the polls of another kind in May and June this year when they elect school governing bodies (SGBs) across the province.

National SGB elections are scheduled to take place in June. However, the Head of Education in the Western Cape, in consultation with the national Department of Education and various SGB stakeholders, has given permission for the elections to start in May in the province.

The elections will be the fourth since 1996. School governors are elected for three-year terms.

Schools will inform parents of the dates, times and venues for the elections. Districts are currently working with schools to finalise election schedules.

SGBs play a crucial role in the proper governance of schools. They contribute significantly to improving the quality of education in their schools, by ensuring an environment that is conducive for effective teaching and learning.

Voting and participating in the upcoming elections will provide parents with:

  • a voice in matters relating to their children's schooling, and
  • a direct role in school-based decision-making processes.

Revised provincial election regulations were promulgated in May 2008. To ensure that the scheduled elections run smoothly in the province, the Western Cape Education Department established a Provincial Electoral Team in November 2008, representing various stakeholders.

The Head of Education, Ron Swartz, appointed Redewan Larney as the provincial coordinator. Mr Larney chairs the provincial electoral team.

Working in partnership with SGB associations, principals and electoral teams in the districts and at schools, the team's role is to ensure that all schools are ready for the upcoming elections and that parents, teachers and non-teaching staff members are aware of the importance of participating in the elections.

The electoral team must make sure that all electoral officials are trained to ensure free and fair elections at all schools. Since February this year, 1 352 school principals have been trained as electoral officers. The last group of principals are being trained this month (April).

District and school teams are managing the elections on local levels. The various teams will communicate all processes and procedures relating to the elections to parents via schools and the media.

For further information, parents and other interested parties can contact the principal of their child's school or the relevant district electoral officers. Contact details appear below.

Some schools experienced low parent turnouts in the past, for various reasons. The included the weather in the Western Cape in June and distances in rural areas.

District and school electoral teams are addressing these and other issues to ensure the greatest possible participation. The WCED is also working with various governing body associations to promote the elections in all communities.

SGBs work in the best interests of learners. We encourage parents to become involved in their children's education by standing for election and by voting for the best possible candidates.

The WCED is committed to supporting SGBs, by providing training to ensure that SGB members fulfill their roles with confidence.

We look forward to full participation by all parents, to celebrate our diversity, and to ensure that our SGBs represent the full spectrum of population groups and backgrounds in our province.

In conclusion, we thank all parents, teachers, non-teaching staff members and learners who are currently serving on school governing bodies for everything they have done to ensure quality education in the Western Cape.

Contact details: district electoral officers

Education DistrictDistrict Electoral Team CoordinatorContact number
Cape WinelandsMr J Van Tonder023 348 4680
Eden KarooMr E Magodla044 803 8300
Metropole CentralMr J Petersen021 659 4300
Metropole EastMr Z Conco021 900 7000
Metropole NorthMr H Botha021 938 3000
Metropole SouthMr R Job021 370 2000
OverbergMr J Bailey028 212 1730
West CoastMr F Claasen021 860 1200

For enquiries, contact Millicent Merton:  072 724 1422 or mmerton@pgwc.gov.za.


Issued by:
Millicent Merton
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
Tel: 021 467 2524
Fax: 021 425 5689

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

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