The Minister of Transport Ms Dipuo Peters and her Basic Education counterpart Ms Angie Motshekga held bilateral talks to discuss progress regarding the issue of leaner/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.
Ministers Peters and 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.
Enquiries:
Tiyani Ponto-Rikhotso (Transport)
Cell: 083 570 1275
Elijah Mhlanga (Education)
Cell: 083 580 8275
