Frustrated parents at Enkundleni Primary School near Bethal have forcibly closed the institution, demanding government intervention after a critical school bus service was abruptly halted. The disruption, now in its third week, has left many learners stranded at home since the start of the third term.
Transport Woes Spark Closure
The crisis began when the bus operator, responsible for transporting learners for nearly two years, stopped services after allegedly going unpaid for 19 months. Parents argue that without transportation, their children—some as young as primary school age—face an impossible 90-minute walk each way to school.
“These children are too young to walk such a long distance every day,” said one parent. “We don’t want to keep them home, but we have no choice.”
The situation worsened after another nearby school was closed in 2023, forcing learners to relocate to Enkundleni Primary, which is significantly farther from their homes.
Parents Demand Fairness and Action
Parents insist the shutdown is a last resort. “It’s unfair that some children attend while others can’t,” said a concerned mother. “Exams are coming, and they’ve missed weeks of learning. We want our children to succeed.”
The School Governing Body (SGB) claims efforts to resolve the issue have hit dead ends. “We’ve gone from the circuit to the district, but officials haven’t helped,” an SGB member explained. A promised meeting with transport officials never materialized, leaving parents in limbo.
Department’s Response
The Mpumalanga Department of Transport initially stated the bus operator was not officially contracted for the route but later acknowledged the problem after an investigation. “We’ve arranged transport starting tomorrow,” a spokesperson said.
However, skeptical parents have vowed to keep the school closed until buses actually arrive. “We’ll believe it when we see it,” one parent said.
Education at Stake
With the academic year disrupted, parents and learners remain anxious. “Our children deserve an education,” a parent pleaded. “All we want is a bus to take them to school.”
As negotiations continue, the locked gates of Enkundleni Primary stand as a stark symbol of a community’s fight for their children’s future.