Failing scholar transport programme impacts vulnerable learners the worst: SAHRC

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found that the impact of the failing scholar transport programme has the worst effect on vulnerable learners.

Commissioner Nomahlubi Khwinana presented the commission’s findings into an investigation on scholar transport in the North West on Monday.

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She said children from poor and rural communities and learners with disabilities suffer the most.

“The impact of these failures falls disproportionately on poor and rural learners, as well as learners with disabilities, who often have no alternative means of transport.”

She said government departments responsible for providing scholar transport in the province have been given 60 days to provide a comprehensive report on the commission’s recommendations.

“The progress report must specifically account for the following: learners newly accommodated, indicating the number of learners who have since been provided with scholar transport, learners who remain excluded, together with clear reasons for their continued exclusion and uncertain measures in place, vehicle roadworthiness testing, including the number of vehicles tested.”

SYSTEMIC FAILURES

The province-wide investigation by the SAHRC has found systemic failures in school transport in the North West, leaving thousands of learners without safe access to education.

The commission found that many learners are forced to walk long and unsafe distances, arrive late for school, or drop out entirely as a result.

The investigation revealed the shocking state of scholar transport in the North West.

Unroadworthy and overcrowded vehicles, frequent breakdowns and a lack of supervision are some of the conditions learners there have been exposed to.

The commission said community members describe these vehicles as “coffins” because of the severe mechanical defects and safety risks.

The commission said confusion on which department is responsible for what, weak financial controls and budgetary constraints have worsened the crisis, calling it a serious violation of learners’ safety, rights and right to education.