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Richards Bay police share tips to prevent children from boarding wrong scholar transport

First day of school 'missing children' cases handled after pupils board wrong scholar transport

Amid last week’s back-to-school rush, Richards Bay SAPS received numerous reports of ‘missing children’ after several pupils left school aboard the wrong scholar transport.

Lt Colonel Debbie Ferreira said it was a busy first day of school as the search was on to locate all the children who had taken the wrong transport or been left behind at school.

Luckily, all the children were found safe.

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“Every start of the new academic year we experience these challenges as many of the children are very young and often get onto the wrong transport,” said Ferreira.

“It is indeed a stressful time as parents panic and scramble to find their children.

“We encourage parents and transport drivers to take extra care as this is a usual occurrence in January when learners are still familiarising themselves with their new travelling routines.

“When travelling to and from school, we urge parents to map out with their children a safe way for them to walk to school or to the bus stop.

“Avoid busy roads and intersections, and do a trial run with them to point out places they should avoid along the way, such as vacant lots, bushy areas, construction areas, and parks where there aren’t many people or adequate lighting.

“If they are travelling by transport, they must familiarise themselves with the driver and use the buddy system while waiting with other children from their transport to ensure they do not get left behind,” she said.

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SAPS tips to keep schoolchildren safe:
• Check the vehicle: Ensure the transport vehicle is in good condition and roadworthy

• Verify the driver’s permit: Ensure the driver has a valid Professional Driving Permit

• Check for overloading: Ask how many pupils the vehicle can transport to avoid overloading

• Use the buddy system: Encourage children to use the buddy system when waiting for transport and to avoid playing alone outside or in public places

• Teach children to follow traffic signals and rules when walking or biking

• Stress that they should cross the street at pedestrian crossings or intersections with scholar patrols when they can

• Encourage children to walk to school or the bus stop with a sibling or friend, and to wait at bus stops with other children

• Teach children not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them without your permission

• Tell them that if they see a suspicious stranger hanging around or at their school, they should tell an adult

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