Question NW2327 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
23 June 2022 - NW2327
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her department’s assertion that, of the 125 000 pupils eligible for scholar transport in the Eastern Cape, only 10 000 can be accommodated due to budget constraints (details furnished), what mechanism will her department together with the Department of Transport use to ensure that 115 000 bicycles are delivered within a year?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education is not aware of assertions made that of the 125 000 pupils eligible for scholar transport in the Eastern Cape, only 10 000 will be accommodated due to budget constraints.
However, Information received from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport who implement the Learner Transport Programme in the province indicates that for the 2021/2022 Financial Year, there were 111 127 learners who were eligible for Learner Transport Programme and of these, 125 423 learners were transported which was 112% more than the total need.
For the 2022/2023 Financial Year, there are 127 455 learners who are eligible for Learner Transport Programme and of these, 102 998 learners are targeted to be transported which is 81% of the total need. This leaves out 24 457 who are in need and qualify for learner transport due to Budget constraints
The Shova Kalula National Bicycle Project is an initiative of the National Department of Transport which was introduced as a pilot project in 2001. The project is an intervention to improve mobility and access to basic needs. The project aims to alleviate transport pressure on poor households and ensure access to public transport and schools.
The Department of Basic Education is not fully privy of the project schedule and thus request the Honorable Member to redirect the question to the Department of Transport as the custodians of the project.