The sixth annual Schools Democracy Week programme runs from 23 to 27 April.
This national programme is a joint initiative between the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Department of Basic Education.
This year’s programme, coordinated by the local IEC office in Vredenburg, included visits to schools such as Curro Langebaan, St Helena Bay Primary, Langebaan Primary and Masiphathisane Primary.
The crucially important initiative works to educate learners on democracy as well and why it is so important for them to vote.
Anybody who has attended a South African school in the last 20 years will know that there has been barely any education on the importance of voting. Aside from the obvious history classes, the majority of young South Africans are not made aware of issues like municipal and provincial elections.
The visits include activities like debates, presentations, mock elections, role play, voter registration, interactive sessions, lectures and formal lessons.
The programme started in 2013, in the run-up to the 2014 National and Provincial Elections, when the Electoral Commission signed a three-year memorandum of agreement with the department to facilitate the teaching of civic and democracy education in schools across the country.
According to Chris Balie, outreach assistant manager of the Western Cape provincial IEC office, other West Coast schools who are interested in a visit from the IEC can contact him on 021 910 5700 or enquire at their local IEC office. All educational materials are available to schools.
Even though Schools Democracy Week ends on 27 April, the IEC will continue to visit other West Coast schools next week.
