National Departments of Transport and Basic Education Discuss Learner Transport | Western Cape Government

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National Departments of Transport and Basic Education Discuss Learner Transport

10 June 2014

Ms Dipuo Peters, Minister of Transport and Ms Angie Motshekga, her Basic Education counterpart, held bilateral talks to discuss progress regarding the issue of learner/school transport.

The two departments are leading efforts to provide safe, reliable and efficient transport services for scholars/learners.

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 now refine the draft policy and prepare submissions to cabinet to get approval to proceed with legislative processes.

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

Vehicles transporting learners would have to meet stringent safety criteria as outlined in the policy.

The policy would also look at an integrated approach to the transportation of learners to school such as supporting infrastructure i.e. Pedestrians crossing bridges.

Minister Peters and Minister Motshekga emphasised the need to involve other social stakeholders, i.e. School Governing Bodies and other relevant civil society organisations.

As soon as cabinet approves the submission, the process would be taken to Parliament. The Ministers instructed the two officials to work with urgency to finalise the outstanding matters.

Media Enquiries: 

Tiyani Ponto-Rikhotso
Department of Transport
Cell: 083 570 1275

Elijah Mhlanga
Department of Basic Education
Cell: 083 580 8275