Question NW625 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
10 March 2022 - NW625
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What total number of schools in (i) the Eastern Cape and (ii) KwaZulu-Natal are still without scholar transport, (b) by what date will each specified school that needs assistance from her department with scholar transport be provided with such assistance and (c) what is the total budget allocation by her department for scholar transport for each specified province?
Reply:
a) (i) 00 and (ii) 397
b) The shortage of scholar transport in KwaZulu Natal is attributed to shortages in funding from the Equitable Share. Discussions are however, ongoing with the respective Provincial Treasury to ensure that the Learner Transport Programme in KwaZulu Natal is funded, adequately. The Sector is also working towards an integrated sectoral school infrastructure planning, in trying to ensure that schools are build where there is a massive need, to relief pressure off the Learner Transport Programme. In the interim, the Sector is also working closely with the Department of Transport through the Shova Khalula Bicycle Programme, with the primary target being learners in rural, remote and poorly resourced areas, who walk longer distances to schools are provided with bicycles. The intended outcome is to reduce travel time for learners and improve school attendance thereby providing relief to the Learner Transport programme.
c) (i) Eastern Cape-R791 380 256.52 and (ii) KwaZulu Natal-R457 000 000.00