PMG - South African Scholar Transport a Problem
Scholar Transport In South Africa
Lawmakers discussed issues relating to the provision of transport for school learners. Big thanks to the media who have been circulating reports affecting the school learners on their ways to and from different schools.
At times school learners are exposed to dangerous conditions that may lead to sudden death.
According to Equal Education, the National Learner Transport Policy has significant gaps and it requires further detail and development in order to effectively realize its stated objectives.
Briefing MPs, the Department said learner transport is funded from the equitable share given to provinces, which meant it was not ring-fenced and can be utilized by provinces as they see fit.
The Department was looking at the possibility of having a conditional grant which was different from the equitable share. The conditional grant would be fixed and would confine provinces to use the funds as intended because of the conditions attached to them.
The key elements of the policy included providing access to quality education for children by producing an effective and safe transport system and to improve the planning and implementation of such an integrated system. The policy provided for the establishment of an interdepartmental committee, which had already been established.
The Department said implementation was hampered by a number of challenges; the chief being the quality of the infrastructure of the roads in most areas.
Other impedients include unqualified rivers, and unroadworthy vehicles. There was agreement that the Department should arrange the round table conference with other stakeholders, including National Treasury, to discuss the implementation of the learner transport policy in a way that wsa best for the learners.
Photos Source:
- The New Age: Scholar transport needed as some pupils travel long distances
- IOL News: An overloaded taxi? carrying 33 children was recently stopped by traffic officers ?while en route to Galeshewe in Kimberley. The driver? had two warrants for his arrest ?and was fined R1500. Picture: Emile Hendricks
- IOL News: New scholar transport regulations are aimed at preventing scenes like this. Picture: Matthews Baloyi
- Azaniamag: Primary School learners crossing uPhongolo River to school in the Madonela area, Northern KwaZulu Natal
I like your post, Sir. Access to education is a child's right. So are security and nutrition - while at school at the very least. It is high time that every school be equipped with a cafeteria, a resident nutritionist, trained cafeteria staff and all learners be provided a nutritional balanced meal every day at school.
Rightly so @trumanity. The powers that be are diverting to funds to unnecessary liabilities like stocking up of arms, buying expensive cars to ferry their entourages and girlfriends. Yet when they canvas for votes they promise the citizens "free education". When the elections are over, you never hear about those rosy promises anymore.
This post has received a 1.29 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @veejay.