The Gauteng Education Department has reaffirmed its policy that it will provide state-funded scholar transport only outside of designated school feeder zones under “exceptional circumstances.” This declaration comes in response to a sit-in protest staged by frustrated parents from Holy Trinity Secondary School at the Tshwane West Education District offices.
The parents are demanding the reinstatement of a bus service that was abruptly discontinued at the end of the June holidays. The cancellation has left them grappling with significant additional costs, with many now spending over R80 per day on public transportation for their children.
Despite threats of disruption, classes at Holy Trinity Secondary School continued normally. However, the tension underscores a growing conflict between the department’s policies and the practical realities faced by families.
One parent, voicing the concerns of many, highlighted issues of safety and administrative confusion. “We’ve been fighting this bus issue for years. Suddenly… it was halted without any prior notice,” the parent stated. They also raised grave safety concerns for children forced to walk long distances: “They can get raped. They might not return home by taking a risk and walking home.”
The department’s official policy stipulates that learners qualify for free transport if they live more than five kilometers from their nearest suitable school. However, the situation is often complicated by school availability. Parents argue that while they were directed to Holy Trinity through the department’s online registration system, they are now being denied transport because closer schools are full.
A counterpoint from a private operator suggested that some parents deliberately bypass closer schools, only to later complain about transportation costs. This sentiment was indirectly echoed by a departmental view, which noted it is “unfortunate” that some parents choose schools far from their homes and then expect state-provided transport.
Steve Mabona, a spokesperson for the Gauteng Education Department, clarified the department’s position. “We cannot expect to place children beyond their feeder and we don’t do anything about it. So we have a responsibility as a department to make sure that we cater for that,” he said. Mabona explained that the department’s primary responsibility is for learners allocated to schools far from their homes by its own online system.
The department has consistently urged parents to enrol their children in schools within their immediate communities to avoid such transportation challenges. For the parents of Holy Trinity, the standoff continues, as they seek a resolution that addresses both the financial burden and the safety of their children. The department insists that any exceptions to its feeder zone policy will be considered on a strict case-by-case basis.