KNYSNA NEWS - Transport services for 48 learners from Rheenendal, Brackenhill and Buffelsbaai attending Knysna Secondary School resumed on Tuesday 11 August, after being suspended for two consecutive days, prompting urgent intervention by community leaders, parents and the school last week.
Consultations involving the school, Jansen's Travel & Tours and representatives of the Western Cape Education Department's (WCED) Learner Transport Scheme ensued, which resulted in the resumption of transport services this week.
These learners were left without transport earlier last week as the service provider had transported only learners formally approved for the route. This occurred amid the uncertainty over the approval and payment of additional learners.
The latest agreement, however, will see transport resuming as usual while the outstanding applications for additional learners are processed and considered by the WCED.
Service provider explains decision
Jansen's Travel & Tours owner Trevor Jansen said the company had initially transported all the learners on the route since January, including those for whom the school had submitted applications for additional transport.
He said the company had continued providing this service while it was awaiting the outcome of the applications.
According to Jansen, the company received written confirmation from the WCED Head Office last week that payment would only be made for learners formally approved on the department's Central Education Management Information System (Cemis).
Jansen said the company had requested written guidance on how it should proceed, as transporting additional learners without approval placed a significant financial burden on the business. "Based on the written communication received, we transported only the learners currently approved for the route," Jansen said.
He acknowledged the frustration caused to affected learners, parents and the community, saying this decision was not one the company wanted to make. Jansen said the company remained committed to serving the community and wanted the WCED to urgently resolve the approval for the additional learners.
WCED clarifies approval requirements
The WCED's communications spokes-person, Bronagh Hammond, confirmed that the department was aware of these concerns and had requested a report on the specific circumstances surrounding the route.
Hammond said the WCED was required to administer learner transport and process payments in accordance with its approved Learner Transport Scheme Policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
Under the procedures, only learners approved by the WCED's Head Office and appearing on the learner transport database on Cemis are regarded as authorised learners.
Service providers are compensated only for transporting authorised learners, while transporting unauthorised learners is done at their own risk, and payment cannot be made for those learners, Hammond said.
She added that the schools were responsible for ensuring that learners on the Register of Authorised Learners had the necessary WCED Head Office approval and appeared on Cemis.
Where additional learners require transport on an existing route, schools may submit an application through the prescribed Cemis process.
The WCED is currently verifying the number of learners affected, whether and when an application was submitted, the status of this, the approval status of the learners and communication between the department, school and service provider.
Forum seeks written accountability
The Rheenendal Unite Forum welcomed a meeting between parents and community leaders from Rheenendal, Brackenhill and Buffalo Bay, Knysna Secondary School and representatives of the WCED's Learner Transport Scheme on Friday 7 August, following the two consecutive days during which the 48 learners were left stranded and unable to attend school.
According to the forum, the information emerging from the meeting indicated that the issue related to the transport provider allegedly transporting additional learners for almost a year without formal approval or compensation.
An application for approval was reportedly submitted to the WCED and remains pending on Cemis, and the provider subsequently suspended the service over the unresolved approval and lack of compensation.
The forum has requested a written account of the application, including its submission date, current status and a firm resolution timeline, as well as confirmation of interim transport arrangements for all 48 learners.
It also raised concerns about the communication with parents, saying the assurances reportedly given by the school principal since 1 May were not formally communicated to the wider parent body.
The forum called for written accountability and a clear, monitored process going forward.
Its account of the application and previous communications has not been independently verified, and the WCED said it is still establishing the facts surrounding the route.
School suggests hostel option
The latest development comes as Knysna-Plett Herald received correspondence from Knysna Secondary School principal Sydney Jantjies addressed to the WCED, in which he addresses the recommendations that the affected learners on the route be accommodated in the school hostel.
This correspondence forms part of the ongoing efforts to find a sustainable solution for these learners while the outstanding transport applications are being considered.
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