By Anita Dangazele
The Makhanda High Court in the Eastern Cape has delayed its decision in a case against the provincial departments of transport and education.
The case was brought by the human rights group Khula Development and the school governing bodies of three schools – Mneketshe Junior Secondary, SeaView Senior Secondary, and Toyise Senior Secondary.
They are trying to force the departments to provide transport for thousands of students who can’t attend school because of budget cuts.
The Legal Resource Centre (LRC), representing the schools and Khula Development, told the court that over 50,000 students in the province are struggling with transport issues.
Cameron McConnachie, head of the LRC education programme, said the departments can’t keep using the excuse that they don’t have enough money.
“Children shouldn’t have to wait while the department tries to fix its policy,” McConnachie said.
He said the real problem is the failure to implement the policy.
Since the school year began, many students have had to leave their families to move closer to school or pay for expensive private transport.
Some students have no choice but to stay home and miss important school time, with some even dropping out.
During the court hearing, the LRC’s lawyers shared stories of students like one who wakes up at 3am every day and leaves home at 4am just to get to school by 6am.
Pictured above: The Makhanda High Court.
Source: ActionSA/Facebook
