Parliament has adopted a motion by Maun West MP Caterpillar Hikuama calling for safe, student-friendly school buses through a comprehensive, nationwide policy framework to ensure the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of school transportation. Presenting the motion, Hikuama highlighted that safe journeys are fundamental to the right to education. Currently, thousands of students begin their day anxious, squeezed into unregulated vehicles or walking miles along dangerous roads.
The motion seeks to professionalize school transit, turning buses into a mobile extension of the classroom. Hikuama noted that inconsistent standards undermine youth well-being and equity. He added that a nationwide framework will reduce absenteeism, promote equitable access to education, and foster accountability.
Implementing this policy ensures every student, from the bustling streets of Gaborone to the remote reaches of Boteti, has a secure road to success. He cited neighboring countries, including Namibia and South Africa, which implemented unified school bus policies that reduced accidents and created scalable frameworks.
Members of Parliament argued the motion is long overdue to curb existing safety risks. Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education Justin Hunyepa noted his ministry and the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs are engaged on the matter. Hunyepa stated that the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs continues to strengthen transport arrangements with available resources while exploring sustainable options for a national transport framework as the fiscal position improves.
To curb existing challenges, a savingram was issued on February 11th, 2024, directing the immediate discontinuation of donkey carts for transporting learners. The donkey cart initiative was introduced in 2016 as an interim intervention for learners residing more than 5km from schools in remote communities lacking conventional transport. The government reviewed the arrangement against evolving road safety requirements, child protection standards, and the need for dignified transport, directing that donkey carts be replaced with safer modes of transport complying with traffic legislation.
Councils were instructed to prioritize learner safety, vehicle roadworthiness, effective monitoring, and accountability. Hunyepa stated that councils, in conjunction with the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, have started providing safer transport. However, due to prevailing financial constraints, not all areas are covered. The ministry is looking at other avenues, including collaboration with the private sector and development partners. Currently, the private sector and civil society provide transport to some schools, collaborating to approach hard-to-reach areas to improve learner safety.
