For the first time in history, the Eastern Cape Department of Education held its first ever two-day Provincial Representative Council of Learners Elective Conference at the Mandla Makupula Education Leadership Institute in East London recently.

The establishment of the RCL structure which resulted in the Provincial Conference being hosted is a result of compliance to the Department of Basic Education RCL management plan.

The plan clearly states that 10 learners from the 48 learners must be elected to represent the province at the National RCL Conference to be held in Pretoria.

The two-day Conference was attended by the Department top management, District Co-ordinators and 48 Learners from around the Province.

This conference came as instruction from the DBE stating that Education Sectors nationally are necessitated to establish a RCL structure to represent learners in each Province.

ECDoE Schools Administration Acting Director Mbuyiseli Sandi welcomed those in attendance and encouraged the learners to be brave and take pride in representing their Province.

"Today we are here to create space for learners from Grade 8 and up to express their views on how they think schools should be managed and how curriculum should be delivered.  In the past, we have failed to create space for them to have their opinions heard as such as the Department we decided to grab this opportunity of hosting this conference with both hands."

Educational District Co-ordination and Institutional Operations Management Deputy Director General, Thembani Mtyida, said that over the two-days the Department had a very important session in ensuring greater participation of learners in the election that will contribute as part of the School Governing Body of a school.

The conference has been a success as I believe that the best team was selected to represent this province of legends amongst other provinces in the National Conference, said Mtyhida.

He added that he was also proud of the elected team.

"As the Newly Elected Executive President to represent the Eastern Cape Province at the National RCL Conference, I am committed to express the views, opinions and concerns of learners of the Province and I am very honored to be part of this historical event and will ensure that our election brings change in our schools but not only in the Eastern Cape but to the entire South African Education system "said an enthusiastic Avuyile Smile, a female Grade 12 learner from Ekuphumleni High School at the Chris Hani West Education District.

Nombulelo High School, Grade 12 learner from Sarah Baartman District, Lathitha Lombo said that attending the conference and being elected as one of the RCL executive was a very special achievement for her and her peers.

"We have gained knowledge on the importance of the establishment of the RCL structure in our schools as a result our duties will be the bridge between learners, educators and the School Governing Body to ensure that learner voices are heard.

I would also like to encourage other learners to take part in such initiatives to follow in the footsteps the 1976 learners who lost their lives fighting for their voices to be heard," concluded Lathitha.

PHOTOGRAPHER:  THANDO NGCUME