File
Relief is on the way for thousands of Eastern Cape learners who were left stranded at the start of the new school year due to budget cuts to the much-needed scholar transport programme.
On Monday, after numerous community protests, the Eastern Cape Executive Council approved a request “for interim budget relief” of R90.37 million.
Bhisho said this would enable the provincial Department of Transport to provide scholar transport services to learners for the current academic year, including the payment of accruals amounting to just over R11 million.
Around 40,000 learners across the province were forced to walk long distances to school due to cuts to the scholar transport budget.
Read More: Driver dies as scholar transport vehicle is hit by train
“The additional budget brings to over R1 billion the provincial government’s investment on this programme which is aimed at improving access to education for thousands of learners mainly in rural poor communities.
“Additionally, the EXCO provisionally approved the extension of the service from 90 917 to 103 000 learners,” said government spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie.
According to Rantjie it is envisaged that the additional budget will require reprioritisation across the provincial administration.
“The approved budget will ensure that the program remains operational and adequately funded, enabling continued access to education for thousands of learners depending on this service”.
The Executive Council has also directed both the Departments of Transport and Education to identify sustainable funding models and a conduct cost-benefit analysis related to learners who travel more than 40km daily in hostels.
Also Read: Hundreds of scholar transport vehicles impounded
