Scholar Transport

Lawmakers discussed issues relating to the provision of transport for school learners. According to Equal Education, the National Learner Transport Policy has significant gaps and it requires further detail and development in order to effectively realise its stated objectives. EE and the EELC submitted a comprehensive analysis, raising the following concerns:
-The criteria for identifying beneficiaries of subsidised scholar transport is inadequate;
-The policy does not provide sufficient clarity or coherent mechanisms for multi-
stakeholder coordination;
-There is no sufficient guidance on how planning for learner transport provision will be undertaken;
-The policy does not provide timeframes and deadlines for implementation; and
-There are no mechanisms stipulated to ensure adequate funding and budgeting.

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 utilised 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 impediments include unqualified rivers, and unroadworthy vehicles. There was agreement that the Department should arrange a round table conference with other stakeholders, including National Treasury, to discuss the implementation of the learner transport policy in a way that was best for the learners.