About 60 pupils from Tshholomnqa High School have to wake up at the crack of dawn to embark on a 15km walk from their homes in Tsaba village to get to school on time. This is because their scholar transport service providers have not been paid by the Eastern Cape transport department. Parent, Sisipho Mtikitiki, said she had to wake her son up at 5.30am, so that he could get to school by the time it started at 8am.
“My child is in grade 11 this year, and it is concerning that with them not having transportation, it will affect them academically, because they always come back very tired from school,” Mtikitiki said. She said families hoped a solution would be found soon, especially before the cold winter months. “I am concerned about their safety, and in winter it is still dark, and they become easy targets of muggings.” Community member, Thandile Mtikitiki, said pupils risked their lives crossing the Tsaba River, which overflowed when it rained.
“There are days when they use a shortcut, which is more dangerous, as there is a river that flows there,” he said. “If there was at least a pedestrian bridge for them [it would help] as we have lost many lives from people trying to cross the river.” He said parents had approached the department of transport about the problem. “We were promised last year in October that there will be a solution, but nothing has been done yet,” he said. Department of transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the issue was receiving attention from both the departments of transport and education.
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