By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Sourced
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has appealed to scholar transport operators to maintain services while it works to resolve outstanding payments, following disruptions that have begun to affect school attendance across the province.
The department confirmed that delays in settling invoices have led some transport providers to suspend operations, leaving many learners — particularly in township and rural communities — without reliable access to school. As a result, attendance at several schools has already been compromised, raising concerns about learner safety and continuity of learning.
The GDE said it is actively engaging affected operators to address the payment backlog and stabilise the scholar transport programme. Officials acknowledged the strain the delays have placed on service providers, while emphasising that uninterrupted transport is essential to ensuring equitable access to education.
“Scholar transport is a vital support mechanism for learners who would otherwise struggle to reach school safely,” the department said, warning that prolonged disruptions could have lasting consequences for academic performance and learner wellbeing.
Parents and school communities have voiced growing anxiety as some learners are forced to walk long distances or miss classes altogether. Education stakeholders caution that sustained interruptions risk deepening inequality, particularly for vulnerable learners who depend entirely on subsidised transport.
Transport operators, many of whom are small businesses, say delayed payments have severely affected their cash flow. Rising fuel prices, maintenance costs and wage obligations have made it increasingly difficult to continue operating without timely compensation, despite their commitment to supporting learners.
The scholar transport programme is jointly administered by the Gauteng Departments of Education and Roads and Transport and is a cornerstone of efforts to improve access to schooling in underserviced areas.
The GDE has reassured parents, schools and operators that engagements are ongoing and that steps are being taken to accelerate payments and prevent further service interruptions. The department has called for cooperation as discussions continue, reiterating its commitment to keeping learners in classrooms.
Analysts note that the situation once again highlights systemic challenges in public-sector payment processes and underscores the need for more reliable funding mechanisms to safeguard essential services such as scholar transport.
