Share

SAHRC: Eastern Cape govt violated pupils' rights

Johannesburg - The rights of some Eastern Cape pupils were violated when the provincial education and transport departments failed to provide them with transport, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found.

"The commission found that the failure by the department of education and the department of transport to provide transport violated learners' right to education as enshrined in Section 29 of the Constitution," spokesperson Isaac Mangena said in a statement on Wednesday.

"In addition, the departments' failure to provide subsidised transport amounts to an infringement of its duty to consider the best interest of the learner."

The departments were ordered to deal with the problem.

Transport at some schools ‘non-existent’

The SAHRC began its investigation following a complaint by former Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko that pupils at the Zweledinga Senior Secondary School in Queenstown had to walk nearly 12km to school.

"The commission elected to investigate more schools in the province and visited schools such as Lovemore Park... Primary School in Port Elizabeth, and Ntabankulu, Dalibaso, Luthubeli and Upper Mpako secondary schools in [the] Mqanduli area," Mangena said.

"The investigation revealed that the availability of transport to learners at these schools was not adequate and in some instances, non-existent."

1000s not getting transport

He said the departments needed to review their memorandum of agreement regarding the provision of scholar transport. They had to provide the commission with monthly reports on progress made in ensuring pupils had transport.

The principals of the six schools were ordered to establish from pupils whether the reason for their non-attendance was due to a lack of transport, and provide the commission with reports each month.

Provincial transport spokesperson Ncedo Kumbaca said scholar transport problems were budgetary and involved "constant engagement with the Treasury".

"In the new academic year we increased the number of beneficiaries [of scholar transport] by 10%," he said.

At present 95 000 pupils qualified for transport, but only 67 000 were receiving this service.

"We remain committed that in the near future we will cover all learners that qualify."

He said pupils that qualified needed to inform the education department so that transport could be arranged.

The provincial education department could not immediately be reached for comment.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 392 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 542 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE