As schools are currently busy with critical exams, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape urges the provincial government to prevent looming disruptions to learner transport services.
I wrote to the Member of the Executive Council for Education, Abraham Vosloo, to ask that the Northern Cape Department of Education specifically formalise its current arrangements with service providers in the Kgatelopele Local Municipality. Notice was already given by one service provider that learner transport will be suspended from next week onwards because they’ve been waiting for months for the department to finalise the necessary contractual arrangements.
It also appears that service providers have not been paid to date.
Similar contractual disagreements led to the sudden withdrawal of transport services in all five districts at the start of June and created unnecessary chaos in school communities. It is disheartening that the department has not learned its lesson from this experience and seems set to repeat it instead. Grade 12 learners are at a critical phase of their schooling and cannot afford to be derailed by administrative delays.
Right now, Kgatelopele’s school communities are under particular strain as the business rescue processes are unfolding at the Finch Diamond Mine near Lime Acres, placing nearly 1 800 livelihoods at risk and creating serious financial uncertainty for families.
Ultimately, the long-term solution for these financial difficulties is to create strong, robust local economies that work for all. This includes reliable learner transport services that give learners their best opportunity to pursue their academic dreams.
Democratic Alliance – Northern Cape
nc.da.org.za
