The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has acknowledged challenges currently affecting the province's Scholar Transport Programme which has resulted in some service providers halting operations and negatively affecting learners.
The halting of operations on Monday also contributed to low attendance at some schools.
The department said it has been actively engaging scholar transport service providers to address outstanding payments and has emphasised its commitment to fulfilling payments of all outstanding invoices.
In a statement on Tuesday, the GDE appealed to service providers to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted transportation of learners under the programme while it works within available financial processes to finalise payments accordingly.
While the matter is being resolved, the department has advised schools to implement appropriate academic recovery measures to ensure that teaching and learning remains on track.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane emphasised that the safety of learners remains a priority.
“Indeed, safety, access, and well-being of learners remain a priority. We will continue to engage all affected stakeholders and resolve the impasse, and we are confident that these engagements and commitments will enable operators to resume services.
“We remain committed to collaboration and constructive engagements with our stakeholders in resolving any matters that may arise. To this end, we encourage all our stakeholders to always engage with us on issues they face within the sector,” Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za
