National Scholar Transport Policy stuck on blocks for eight years

During a presentation to the Transport Portfolio Committee, the Department of Transport's Chief Financial Officer, Collins Letsoalo, admitted that after eight years the Department still has not finalised its National Scholar Transport Policy.

Furthermore, after five years the policy for Shova Kalula, a programme which is meant to provide an estimated 1 000 000 bicycles to rural schools, has not been implemented either. 

This programme is meant to bring mobility and accessibility to some of South Africa's most impoverished and remote communities. However, it has had an incredibly slow start and is far from reaching the million bicycle target set out in 2011. 

The Department of Transport's failure to prioritise these programmes has undoubtedly endangered the lives of our children. Every day learners travel tens of kilometres on foot due to a lack of learner transport; forcing them to endure extreme weather conditions, exposing them to exhaustion, treacherous terrain and even crime. This hampers their ability to learn and progress through the education system.

Clearly Zuma's ANC is not concerned with keeping its promises or our children safe. The DA will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ruth Bhengu, and request that the Department be summoned before Parliament to provide an approved National Scholar Transport Policy in time for the 2015 school year.

The DA-run Western Cape has a comprehensive Learner Transport Scheme policy that aims to prioritise learners in rural areas that have to travel more than five kilometres without access to public transport. 

The DA has always prioritised the education and safety of our children. We urge South Africans to do the same when they vote on 7 May.

Statement issued by Ian Ollis MP, DA Shadow Minister of Transport, March 5 2014

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