Learners make their mark to make a difference
Grade 1s were given the unique opportunity to vote for their class president.
Voting day offered the Grade 1s at Umdoni Christian Academy an invaluable learning experience, immersing them in essential concepts such as free and fair elections, democracy, responsibility, choice and their rights as citizens.
In preparation, Grade 1s were given the unique opportunity to vote for their class president. The process began with learners registering to vote using their smart ID cards, a procedure overseen by the school’s dedicated ABC Electoral Committee. Learners were then organised into four teams, each tasked with selecting a candidate from their ranks to stand for election. This collaborative effort required each team to brainstorm and come up with a creative team name and design an original poster symbol that would represent their campaign.
The candidates, eager to win the support of their peers, prepared motivational speeches. These speeches outlined their plans to ensure the classroom remained safe and tidy, to make learning an enjoyable experience, and to promote good manners among their classmates. To reach a wider audience, the speeches were recorded and posted on school groups, allowing learners to engage with the candidates’ visions for their class.
As voting day arrived, the anticipation was visible as the young learners, brimming with enthusiasm, lined up to cast their votes. Each experienced the thrill of participating in a democratic process, marking their ballots with care and pride. After receiving their ballot papers, their thumbs were marked, a symbolic gesture to ensure the integrity of the election.
The event was more than just a mock election; it was a powerful demonstration of the principles of democracy in action, leaving a lasting impression on learners and reinforcing the importance of civic engagement from a young age.
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