Media Release
Minister of Education Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape

3 October, 2016

RCL elections 2017 process to begin this month.

Statement by Minister Debbie Schäfer, Minister of Education

Co-operative governance is essential for the successful functioning of a school. This means that all stakeholders - parents, educators and learners - need to work together and accept responsibility to ensure that a culture of teaching and learning is fostered in every school.

In South Africa, childrens' right to participate in decisions affecting their lives is highlighted in the Children's Act (2010) and the South African Schools Act (SASA), (1996). The benefits of listening to and involving young people in decision-making are far reaching, providing insights into their perceptions of their own lives and experiences, their needs, and problems affecting them.

This was evident in the recent national debate regarding schools' codes of conduct. Events at schools in Gauteng and the Western Cape in recent weeks have drawn attention to the importance of school codes of conduct that reflect the values of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and that do not unfairly discriminate against people.

Learners across the country protested about various outdated codes of conduct that were not representative of the broader school community. This does not mean, however, that there should not be rules. Rules are important for the efficient functioning of any organisation. They must just be fair.

It is important that learner's voices are heard, and that is why the upcoming Representative Council of Learners elections are so important.

SASA provides for the election of a Representative Council of Learners (RCL) to be established at every public school, composed of learners in grade 8-12, with two learners elected to serve on the School Governing Body. This representative body is made up of learners elected by their fellow learners to represent them

The RCL is an important structure for building the capacity of learners and developing youth leadership skills at schools. The RCL is the only recognised and legitimate representative learner body at public schools, and has demanding responsibilities and duties. The elected learners have full voting rights on the SGB.

Schools are urged to promote the RCL as a statutory structure that each school must have. It is important that the RCL works with the SGB and School Management Team (SMT) to achieve the common aims and objectives of the school. It is also vitally important that the RCL forms part of the development of these aims and objectives and takes ownership of them. Equally important is that the other SGB representatives listen to what the learners are saying and allow them sufficient opportunity to raise issues of concern to them and those they represent.

In order to ensure that the RCLs begin to function as early as possible in 2017, the WCED issued a circular to schools where it recommended that the RCL elections for 2017 take place between 01 October 2016 and 31 January 2017.

The upcoming RCL elections will provide an excellent opportunity for learners to elect leaders that are representative of the school community and who will serve the best interest of the learners.

A supportive school ethos is essential to encourage participation in the election of the RCL and acceptance of its legitimacy. Support for election campaigning, inauguration ceremonies, acceptance speeches, and mechanisms for representatives to consult with and report back to their constituents all help to encourage effective participation and dialogue among children - before, during and after elections.

As such, it is important that the school appoint a school electoral team to ensure early planning for a successful RCL election.

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. Advocacy strategies include the dissemination of criteria for choosing suitable learner members.

After the RCL elections, it is important that Principals ensure that a proper hand-over process is followed from the outgoing RCL to the incoming RCL. As part of its capacity building, the newly elected RCL must undergo an induction process facilitated by the District RCL Coordinator.

The Principal must also ensure that, in compliance with the SASA, two RCL members are elected to serve on the school governing body.

I would like to encourage all learners to take part in the process, whether they stand for election, assist with election campaigning or by simply voting for the candidate that they think best represents their interests, and that of the learners at the school.

This is their opportunity to elect the right people to ensure that their voices are heard.

Media enquiries:
Jessica Shelver
Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 076 175 0663