Department breaks silence on scholar transport drama

Following news about lack of transport on Monday, which was the aftermath of a misunderstanding between the scholar transport system and the department of Public Works, the Department has broken the silence on the matter.

A statement was issued in connection with the matter, in which the MEC Ms Dumisile Nhlengethwa has confirmed to noting what she refers to as the grave concern with regards to the disruptions on the ferrying of learners to schools on July 21 and 22, 2014 in some areas in Mbombela.

“It is more concerning that the operators chose to embark on such an unfortunate action without first seeking audience with the department, especially the Executing Authority,” she said.
According to the MEC, the Executive Council took a decision to transfer the scholar transport function from the Department of Education to the Department of Public Work, Roads and Transport with effect from August 1, 2009.

“From August 1, 2009 to date, there are no invoices that have been submitted and verified that have not been paid by the department. Therefore, the allegations that are levelled against the department of any outstanding payments are far from the truth.

The department takes strong exceptions of bad elements that are disrupting teaching and learning in schools, disguising as concerned operators. We have noted that Gert Sibande District, Nkangala District and Bohlabela District did not face such disruptions,” she elaborated.

The Department has also added that to this end, in the spirit of stakeholder relations, it has organised a meeting with the concerned group of contracted operators to listen to them with the view of resolving the problem.

Nhlengethwa convened a meeting with the contracted operators on Tuesday aimed at finding common ground on the issues raised by the concerned operators, this according to the Department.
“Regrettably, the contracted operators refused to honour the meeting as they demanded to bring other operators who were not contracted to the department.

“On the same breath, the department would like to put categorically to them that they have a contract with the department to ferry the learners to schools and the disruptions are in breach of the conditions of the contract. Further disruptions will leave the department with no option but to terminate the contracts,” said the MEC.

“Whilst the department respects the rights of individuals and parties to raise issues, boycott, march and protest, the rights of the learners to be in class on time is equally important especially in the context that education is classified as an essential service and that all sectors of society need to promote the culture of learning and teaching.

Therefore the department finds it disturbing that anyone with the right frame of mind will use the plight of learners in a course of advancing selfish and sectorial interest before engagement have been exhausted,” she added with emphasis.

The Department is calling on all operators as citizens, responsible and caring parents to resume operations with immediate effect and our doors remain open for further engagement as we believe that solutions are found through engagements.