As the academic calendar, commonly referred to as Back to School, commences next week, parents and guardians will again trust scholar transport drivers to ferry their children safely.
SCHOLAR TRANSPORT A PRIORITY TO MANY PARENTS
Thousands of children, either starting or on the verge of completing their basic education rely on private and public transport to commute to school.
Over the years, children have been victims of unroadworthy, reckless and negligent driving at the hands of scholar transport drivers.
To avoid accidents, the Transport Department has put the responsibility on parents to evaluate and monitor the vehicle and driver behaviour.
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BACK TO SCHOOL MESSAGE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
After a series of accidents, the Department of Transport urged parents, guardians and institutions to ensure that vehicles transporting children are roadworthy and are not overloaded.
The department further tipped the parents and guardians to be mindful of the validity of the vehicle’s operating disc.
The department notified that the operating license will contain the route, timetable, and validity period.
Here are more tips from the Department of Transport:
- A driver transporting learners must have a professional driving permit.
- A vehicle transporting children must have a valid operating license, which should have the route, timetable, and validity period clearly stated on it.
- Children should be transported in a suitable vehicle, and this does not include the back of a bakkie.
- Never allow your child to be overloaded in a vehicle. Protect your child, and put their safety first when getting them transported to school.
ALSO READ: BACK TO SCHOOL: Scholar transport safety for children on focus
Meanwhile, ActionSA is demanding that the Gauteng Government perform Emergency Repairs at dysfunctional public schools ahead of the opening next week.
Ngobeni alongside Constituency Chairperson, Themba Mabunda, and members conducted a follow-up oversight visit to Durban Deep Primary School in Matholesville, west of Johannesburg.
During the visit, it was revealed that the school remains in appalling condition and is not a suitable place for students and staff.
ALSO READ: Back to School: ActionSA finds public schools in appalling conditions
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