School transport policy underway

STRICT regulations have been outlined in a proposed school transport policy, which will mean any operator transporting pupils will have to apply for a special license.

Recurring tragic accidents on Zululand roads has evoked a public outcry over the large number of unroadworthy and overloaded vehicles transporting school children.

This week, 15 primary school children were taken to hospital after a furniture truck collided with a bakkie transporting pupils at an Empangeni intersection. The vehicle had no seat belts.

Last year, the community mourned the loss of Alwande Langa (9) of Siyakhanyisa Primary School who was tragically killed when she was flung from a Hyundai bakkie transporting her to school. Two other children were also injured.

The National Scholar Transport Policy, which is in its final draft stage, is aimed at regulating the transport of pupils and ensuring that vehicles contracted to schools are roadworthy.

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said her department would finalise the policy which would be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval before it was taken to Parliament.

Key elements

Fundamentals of the policy include the establishment of safety norms, standards and regulations enforced by the national Department of Transport, which will also form a driver code of conduct, including preventative measures for emergencies.

Provincial education departments would be responsible for contracting transport operators, while transport departments would be tasked with registering and licensing vehicles and designated routes.

The payment of service would be based on kilometres travelled and would be standardised throughout the country.

The transport cost would be carried by the government.

‘We welcome the policy as it will regulate the safe transportation of learners. This will assist in decreasing the number of accidents and injuries to our pupils,’ said uThungulu District Education Director, David Chonco.