Department of Education Extranet

NEW PROVINCIAL RCL STRUCTURE TAKES OFFICE 

Kimberley - Newly elected Provincial President of  the Representative Council of Learners (RCL),  Olyn Thysline, a grade 11 learner from Langberg High School located in John Taolo Gaetsewe district is up to the task to tackle challenges faced by  his fellow learners which holds the potential to hinder academic performance. 

When addressing delegates in his inaugural speech, the President assured that the newly elected executive will represent the Province with distinctions academically and in other mural extra activities. 

The three days highly contested conference which concluded this afternoon took place at Elizabeth Conradie Special School in Kimberley. Facilitated  by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the elections were free and fair. 

The  newly elected executive structure  comprises of:

President: Olyn Thysline , Langberg High School 

Deputy President : Garthdene Klaasen, Boesmanland High School 

Secretary : Ava-Leigh Cloete , Steinkof High School 

Deputy Secretary: Zizodwa Xhashimba, Colesberg Combined School 

Public Relations Officer: Lebone Tshirang, Gata lwa Tou Intermediate School .

The  RCL is a statutory learner governance structure established in terms of Section 11 of the South African Schools Act (SASA), Act 84 of 1996. The RCL plays a critical role in promoting learner voice, democratic participation, leadership development, and civic responsibility within schools

In addition the RCL is not merely a structure at the schools, it is a platform that empowers learners to participate actively in school governance to represent the voices of their peers and to develop the leadership skills necessary to navigate change in society at large.

The elections were In line with the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) commitment of strengthening democratic practices in schools.

In preparation for learners participation in future national and local government elections, access to official identity documentation remains a critical enabler of democratic participation,  the department and IEC encourages eligible voters  at schools to secure their identity documents in order to participate in the future elections.