“Loud music in school transport vehicles is just noise pollution, actually it does not benefit our kids and even us as drivers, and it is very destructive so we need to tone down.”
Those are the words of the Ekurhuleni regional chairperson of Gauteng Education Training (GET) Paul Malatsi, sharing his reaction after he was asked what the structure’s concerns are in relation to the loud music in transport vehicles.
Loud music from such vehicles has become a prominent morning and afternoon ear-splitting sound, not only for the children themselves but also for residents in an area where these vehicles collect children.
Malatsi said they do have music systems in cars, but they must tone down.
He said they do not encourage schooler transport drivers to install loud music systems in their vehicles.
“What we have witnessed is that even on school premises, there are guys who play loud music and it does not sit well for us. We do have a relationship with school principals and they always complain about the noise,” he said.
Malatsi said as an organisation they have guidelines, a constitution and a code of conduct as well.
“We hold monthly meetings in our various associations and we sit down with people so they know what to do, but there are those who are transporting children whilst they do not belong to an association.
“The unregistered schooler transporters are destroying our business because we have uniformed prices the fees that we charge to parents, but they come with any fee, in addition, they overload the vehicles,” said Malatsi.
A schooler transport driver, Mashaba from KETO Spruitview Association, said loud music while transporting learners is wrong.
“It is unacceptable and very disruptive, we take these children to school so they can learn so when you as a driver disturb them when they get to school their brain is already tired from the noise,” said Mashaba.
GET provincial training officer Tokelo Mbele said said it is one of the policies of GET that all the operators must not play loud music, especially when the children are going to and from school.
“The noise must just be enough for the kids to hear, but not for the next person outside of that vehicle to hear,” said Mbele.
He said the policy is going to form part of the training.
“It is common sense that you should not play such loud noise, especially when you are carrying learners. We are going to enforce this policy.”
When asked how GET will ensure that their policy on noise is implemented, Mbele said they have structures in place to monitor such activity.
What is the penalty for drivers violating GET’s policy?
Mbele said one of the methods is to charge a driver to pay extra at the office.
He said should the behaviour continue and they fail to comply three times, excessive measures will be taken.
“If you still fail to follow the rules we remove the sticker and you are given a letter stating that because you do not want to comply with the association, the policies and the rules of GET, you can no longer form part of the family of GET.
“Once that has been done even when the government comes, we distance ourselves and inform them that we do not know this vehicle or the driver is no longer our member,” said Mbele.
How can parents access GET’s policy?
According to Mbele, parents are welcome to visit the associations where they will be provided with the policy.
“We also hold meetings as associations, we call the communities and engage with them. But this is something that you are going to see more now since the structures have been put in place,” he said.
