Education
Question by:
Hon Khalid Sayed
Answered by:
Hon David Maynier
Question Number:
4
Question Body:
With regard to his Department’s decision to withdraw learner-transport subsidies, which left a number of learners from Rosedale in Pacaltsdorp, George, stranded:
- What is the number of children who have been affected, (b) how was the decision arrived at and (c) what are his Department’s plans to ensure that all learners arrive at school timeously every day?
Answer Body:
(a) 318 learners
- Pacaltsdorp Primary School and New Dawn Park Primary School applied for a bus route to transport the learners from Rosedale and Reiger Park. The application was considered by the district office and sent to the Department’s Head Office for approval. The Bus Committee turned down the application because the learners live within 5 kilometres of their nearest schools. The Department provides transport to learners living in poor communities who live more than 5 kms from their nearest school, and where public transport is not available.
(I have received an appeal on this matter which is currently under review.)
- The Learner Transport Subsidy received by the school is inadequate to procure/secure the services of a reputable and safe contractor in the area. Contractor prices exceed the subsidy amount and therefore parents would need to subsidize the transport costs. The parents of the school do not have the means to contribute to the transport costs. This matter is currently on appeal.
Date:
Friday, November 11, 2022
