Question NW2901 to the Minister of Basic Education
21 August 2015 - NW2901
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)What is the number of learners commuting to schools using scholar transport provided by her department compared to the number of learners commuting to schools using private transportation; (2) what action has her department taken to (a) increase access to scholar transport programmes and (b) ensure the safety of the learners so transported?
Reply:
(1)(a) In total 371 422 learners are transported by provinces through the learner transport scheme.
|
PROVINCE NAME |
(a) number of learners commuting to schools using scholar transport provided by the Department of Basic Education |
|
Eastern Cape |
61000 |
|
Free State |
6611 |
|
Gauteng |
82917 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
34814 |
|
Limpopo |
20751 |
|
Mpumalanga |
59121 |
|
Northern Cape |
22874 |
|
North West |
33334 |
|
Western Cape |
50000 |
|
TOTAL |
371422 |
Source: Provincial report on learner transport.
(b) The Department does not have information on learners transported using private transport, as these are administered by parents of learners to their school of choice.
(2)(a) The sector has responded by ensuring that funding is provided to cater for the increasing number of learners requiring transport. In addition, provinces verify beneficiaries identified to ensure that qualifying learners are transported. Finally, the recently approved learner transport policy, developed in collaboration with the Department of Transport, aims to ensure that all learners qualifying to receive learner transport are transported.
(b) Officials responsible for learner transport in both the Provincial Departments of Education and Transport Departments monitor the transportation of learners. Part of monitoring by the Provincial Department of Transport is regular checks on the safety of vehicles transporting learners. Further, law enforcement agencies at local, provincial and national level are, as per the applicable acts and legislation, responsible for ensuring that regulations relating to safety and vehicle roadworthiness are adhered to.