Parents of learners who stay in farms around Olifantsnek, Modderfontein, Kroondaal and surrounding areas, outside Rustenburg, North West, are complaining about the safety of their children, who have to walk about eight kilometres to school, due to lack of scholar transport.
Parents of the learners from Kloof Water, Monato and Machadama Primary Schools said they fear for the safety of their children and can’t be productive at work because of constant worrying.
One of the parents, Rapule Mathetlo, said he has to accompany his daughter to school at 3am every morning, before going to work to ensure she arrives safely at school because there is no school transport.
Another parent, Olebogeng Malwetsi, said the parents have tried everything in their power to get help but their efforts were unsuccessful.
He said he’s worried about his two daughters, who’re forced to walk eight kilometres from home to school. He has made it his duty to accompany them to school every morning, then go to work.
The North West Department of Education has appealed to schools to inform it about scholar transport challenges when responding to Newsnote about the plight of the children and their parents.
The Department Spokesperson, Mphatha Molokwane, said they have not yet received an application for route extension at the affected areas and schools.
“Services are now rendered as per the initial agreed contract with the schools. All three schools in Bojanala are beneficiaries of the learner project currently.
“We encourage schools in future to inform the department in time, so that we can see how best we can assist the learners, since the learner transport is determined by the number of learners, who’re in need of transport, “said Molokwane.
