The 2016 Schools Democracy Week (SDW) started this past weekend and runs until 30 April in schools countrywide as part of an annual joint initiative between the Electoral Commission and the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The objective of the SDW initiative is to raise learners’ awareness of democracy and electoral processes and to participation in electoral democracy as a fundamental human right and civic duty.
Research shows that voting at an early age often results in those voters becoming regular participants in electoral democracy so encouraging first-time voters is critical for the long-term sustainability of democracy.
This year’s initiative takes place during the 20th anniversary year of the adoption of our Constitution which grants citizens the right among a variety of political rights. It also comes just months ahead of the 2016 Municipal Elections so the focus of this year’s campaign will also explain the role of local government.
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education Mr Enver Surty expressed his delight for the partnership with the Electoral Commission to raise awareness among learners and potential young voters about the significance of voting in our democracy.
“Specifically, I am further encouraged, humbled in fact, that the IEC has taken it upon themselves to have a braille translation of the material and have distributed this to all schools across the country that cater for learners with visual impairment. Inclusivity is certainly the cornerstone of our democracy”, added Deputy Minister Surty.
“Democracy and Citizenship Education is a core section of our Life Orientation Curriculum. As learners, I hope you will take some time to familiarize yourself with the material and participate in the activities during School Democracy Week. As educators, I urge you to integrate the content of the material into the normal delivery of curriculum in the classroom,” said Deputy Minister Surty.
It will also provide an opportunity Publishfor pupils aged 16 and older to register and for those who will be 18 by Election Day on 3 August 2016 to vote in the Municipal Elections.
One of the greatest challenges for the Electoral Commission is to get the youth to register and vote. The largest proportion of unregistered voters is found among the youngest age group (16-19 years), affirming the focus on youth during registration and voting periods as of vital and continued relevance. According to the 2015 Voter Participation Survey (VPS) very few South Africans (15%) are aware that they can register to vote from the age of 16.
“The pending Municipal Elections provide a great sense of urgency and relevance and since the voters’ roll has not yet closed, Schools Democracy Week provides a last opportunity for young eligible voters to register and vote and make their voices heard in the future of their local communities,” said Dr Nomsa Masuku, IEC Deputy Electoral Officer for Outreach.
Activities planned for this year’s SDW include debates, presentations, mock elections, role play, voter registration, interactive sessions, lectures and formal lessons. A digital game for mobile phones and tablets (called IXSA) in which players register and then vote in elections is also available for free download from App stores. It allows players to test their election process knowledge and to post their scores and challenge their friends to beat their score via social media.
SABC Education is also supporting the campaign with radio fillers has been flighted on SABC radio stations from 19 to 30 April 2016 to promote the concept of freedom of choice and to create awareness for registration and voting for the municipal elections.
The 2016 Schools Democracy Week will again be supported by a social media and web campaign started on 22 April 2016 and will be hosted on the IEC’s website: www.elections.org.za, Facebook and Twitter. The hashtags for the campaign are #SchoolsDemocracyWeek2016 and #2016MunicipalElections.
Education booklets produced for Schools Democracy Week will again be provided in braille and audio so that they are accessible to visually-impaired pupils.
For more details on the Schools Democracy Week programme and materials, please visit the IEC website at www.elections.org.za or the Department of Basic Education’s website at http://www.education.gov.za/
Centurion
26 April 2016
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