Co-operative governance is essential for the successful functioning of a school. This means that all stakeholders such as 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.

During an interview with Mr James Ndlebe, Director for EMGD, he explained that, “The South African Schools Act (84 of 1996) states that a Representative Council of Learners (RCL) must be established at every public school, composed of learners in Grade 8 – 12.  The RCL is a legally elected council of learners representing all the learners in a school with two representatives elected from each grade to form a council of learner representatives. From this council, three learners must be selected to serve on the School Governing Body (SGB). The elected learners have full voting rights on the SGB. 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 on behalf of those they represent. It is important for the RCL to work with the SGB and School Management Team (SMT) to achieve the common aim and objectives of the school. The RCL is appointed annually.

Mr Nkosana Thakgedi from the EMDG Directorate, explained that, “after the RCL elections, it is important that principals ensure that, in compliance with the SASA, the newly elected RCL must undergo an induction process facilitated by the District RCL Coordinator. After the induction, the RCL body should develop workplans that include peer to peer capacity building and developing youth leadership skills at schools. It is also important that the RCL forms part of the development of these aims and objectives and takes ownership of them.

The upcoming RCL elections will therefore provide an excellent opportunity for learners to elect leaders that are representative of the school community and who will represent the interests of all learners. In addition, 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.