Talks under way to make school transport safer

An announcement that there is progress regarding the issue of pupil transport might come as good news in view of various school bus accidents in Krugersdorp in recent months.

Bilateral talks between Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters and her Basic Education counterpart Angie Motshekga were held recently.

According to a Department of Basic Education (DBE) report the two departments are leading efforts to provide safe, reliable and efficient transport services for pupils in Gauteng as well as elsewhere in the country.

During the meeting the two ministers received a report on the progress made so far, particularly the draft policy regulating the environment.

“Officials of the two departments will refine the draft policy and prepare submissions to cabinet to get approval to proceed with legislative processes,” the statement reads.

Once finalised the scholar transport policy will seek to address issues such as safety, law enforcement and accessibility of transport by pupils.

Vehicles transporting pupils will have to meet stringent safety criteria as outlined in the policy, according to the statement.

The policy also will look at an integrated approach to the transportation of pupils to school, such as supporting infrastructure including pedestrians crossing bridges.

Peters and Motshekga emphasised the need to involve other social stakeholders such as school governing bodies and other relevant civil society organisations.

As soon as cabinet approves the submission, the process will be taken to Parliament.

The Ministers instructed the two officials to work with urgency to finalise the outstanding matters.