Focus on safe school transport

AS schools open this week, parents are reminded to be vigilant when procuring services of transport providers for their children.

Several pupils lost their lives last year in fatal accidents within the district as a result of being transported in unroadworthy vehicles.

KZN Department of Education (DOE) spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, said it was imperative that parents take responsibility in ensuring that their children are transported safely.

‘Parents have a right to ask the transporter to present relevant documents. Check the driver’s records and qualifications and use other parents as a reference to source acceptable transport,’ Mahlambi said.

In agreement was KZN Department of Transport spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane. He said parents need to take ownership as the service is paid for by them.

‘There is a scarcity of transport from rural areas to urban schools, but often drivers in rural areas lacked the necessary documents. This is an issue we are currently addressing,’ said Ncalane.

Policy

Last August strict regulations were outlined in a school transport policy, which, among others, determine that any operator wanting to transport pupils must apply for a special license.

The National Scholar Transport Policy, which is in its final draft stage, is aimed at regulating the transport of pupils and ensuring that vehicles contracted to schools are roadworthy.

Key elements

Fundamentals of the policy include the establishment of safety regulations enforced by the Department of Transport, such as a driver code of conduct.

Provincial education departments would be responsible for contracting transport operators, while transport departments would be tasked with registering and licensing vehicles and designated routes.

The payment of service would be based on kilometres and would be standardised throughout the country.

The transport cost would be carried by the government.

@DHitzeroth