The IFP has challenged the KZN Provincial Government to prioritise scholar transport as October is transport month and education is central to social advancement.
“If we speak about transport month we must also consider the issue of scholar transport as there are still many children who are walking long distance to school due to a lack of scholar transport. Many children are still being transported on backs of bakkies just because the provincial government is failing to provide safe and reliable scholar transport. Children’s needs must be prioritised,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala, MPL.
“We cannot wait any longer to ensure that pupil transport is safe and reliable. The tragic deaths of so many pupils in KZN is inexcusable. The Departments of Transport and Education are too relaxed and myopic in this regard and continue to pass the buck when it comes to taking responsible action. After an accident we only hear of preliminary findings. What happens to the in-depth investigations? And how are the findings used? Just because people say something, it doesn’t mean that they will deliver. Words mean nothing. Talk is cheap. MECs must deliver on their promises. They must show the changes they intend to bring in the Learner Transport Programme,” continued Mr Gwala.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Departments of Education and Transport formed a task team to fast track the implementation of the pupil transport policy in the province after the crash near Mooi River last year where five children died and 24 were injured but we haven’t heard anything about this since. We demand that both the MEC’s must tell us what progress has been made in the implementation of the pupil transport policy in the province. It was announced that this team will be jointly led by the head of department for education, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi and transport head Sbu Gumbi. Now it’s high time for the Provincial Government to deliver on its promises,” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL, IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, 078 290 5842
Media Enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer, 073 024 5675