Western Cape prepares for governing body elections
25 February 2021
Schools and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) are preparing for the biggest elections after the national, provincial and local government elections, namely governing body elections.
Governing bodies represent all sectors of the school community, including parents, educators, non-teaching staff and learners in Grades 8 to 12.
The election process will take place throughout South Africa during the months of March and April 2021.
The voting process is a little different this year, as a result of Covid-19.
Parents will nominate candidates for the voters roll prior to the election. The school will distribute the final voters roll for consideration and parents will be expected to then vote for their preferred candidate either physically at the school or via e-voting on a date set by the school. The school will communicate to parents the date of the election, the timeframes in which to vote and which system they will use on the day. They will also inform parents of the protocols that need to be followed with regards to Covid regulations should the voting be physically at the school.
The South African Schools Act gives governing bodies considerable powers to govern schools as part of one of the key structures of our democracy.
We therefore urge parents to fully participate in the nomination and election of governing body members to ensure that the school serves the best interests of their children.
While governing body members do not have to have formal qualifications, we are urging parents with skills in bookkeeping, accounting and legal services to consider standing for election. Knowledge of accounting and legal processes is particularly useful, given the kinds of decisions that governing bodies must make and the responsibilities they are entrusted with.
More information on the governing body elections is available here