The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) replied as follows to questions put by the Cape Argus on learner transport safety:

1. How many learners does the WCED provide transport to (through contractors) on a daily basis?

47 700

2. How many contractors are responsible for transporting these learners?

The WCED has signed about 470 contracts with bus companies to provide transport for learners.

3. How many school bus accidents have been reported over the past year? Has there been an increase compared to previous years? If so, by how much?

There have been two accidents reported since June 2008, including the latest accident near Montagu, according to information immediately available. This does not reflect an increase from the previous year.

4. How does the WCED ensure that the buses used by contractors are roadworthy?

Yes. The WCED has a team of eight monitors who check compliance to tender requirements continuously. This includes roadworthy certificates and other relevant documentation.

The WCED's roadworthy requirments are more stringent than those required by traffic authorities, in that contractors have to obtain roadworthy certificates every six months, rather than every 12 months required by law.

The department also encourages principals to monitor the condition of buses used to carry learners. We do not expect principals and teachers to do the work of traffic officers, but we do encourage them to report any matters of concern for further investigation.

The department's monitoring team works closely with traffic authorities to ensure compliance. This includes road blocks and random inspections.

5. How does the WCED ensure that drivers have the necessary permit?

See 4.

6. How often does the WCED check if buses are roadworthy and licensed and drivers have the necessary permits?

The monitoring team checks compliance continuously. The department also encourages schools to report any matters of concern, including signs of unacceptable wear on tear on buses used to carry learners.

7. How do you ensure that contractors do not subcontract and if they do, are the subcontractors' buses checked as well?

Contractors have to register specific buses for specific routes. These buses must meet all requirements of the tenders concerned.

Contractors may not make alternative arrangements unless they have negotiated these with the department. In this case, the replacement vehicle must meet all the requirements of the tender.

8. What happens to contractors if you discover that their buses are not roadworthy or drivers do not have the necessary permit?

The WCED gives the contractor a chance to replace the vehicle. All buses must meet tender requirements, including relevant documentation. Our monitors also work with traffic authorities to ensure compliance.

9. Have you cancelled any contracts with any contractor over the past year for the above or other reasons?

Yes. The details of these cases are not immediately available.

10. Last year former Education MEC Cameron Dugmore said a team had been appointed to specifically ensure that buses are roadworthy.

Is this team still operating?

Who oversees the team?

What has their work over the last year included?

What were the major problems they found and what have they done to correct it?

The WCED formed the team about five years ago to monitor the bus transport on a full time basis.

The head of the team is a former principal. They work very closely with the traffic authorities to ensure that bus transport paid for by the WCED meets high standards.

The team monitors our contracts and accompanies buses to roadworthy centres to make sure that buses are tested as required by our contracts.

The team also accompanies traffic police at road blocks and on other occasions to check that buses are not overloaded and that contractors are using the buses approved by the WCED's Learner Transport Scheme.

The team cannot be in all places at the same time. We therefore have asked principals to monitor the buses used for the scheme, for example, the general condition of the buses, whether contractors are using approved buses, and whether or not buses are overloaded.

We don't expect principals to be traffic police, but they obviously share our concern for the children we are transporting, and we all have an interest in being vigilant.

11. Is the WCED facing any legal action following bus accidents involving contractors employed by the WCED? If so, how many and what are the details of the cases?

The WCED is currently involved in legal action following the bus accident in 2005 in Kloofnek Road involving learners from Dennegeur Primary School. The contractor was not employed by the WCED.

12. Dugmore said there were cases where all approved buses were not utilized and this lead to overloading of vehicles. Is this still an issue and how is it being dealt with?

We don't have statistics immediately available to suggest this. Nevertheless, our monitors, schools and traffic authorities are constantly on the lookout for any buses that appear to be overloaded.

13. Are you concerned about the number of school bus accidents and do you have any plans to deal with it?

The WCED is deeply concerned about any bus accident and is implementing extensive plans and measures to ensure transport safety. We work with all concerned to minimize the chance of accidents wherever possible.