Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Thirty Sao Bras High learners finally returned to school on Monday 11 May after having spent almost a month at home due to a sudden pause in their daily school transport to Mossel Bay.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that all 30 learners have been approved to ride a WCED-contracted school bus.
They had previously been stranded at home, awaiting the department's approval since 17 April. They live in Brandwag, Sonskynvallei and Ruiterbos, several kilometres outside Mossel Bay.
The situation was a source of grave concern for their parents, who feared their children might drop out of school altogether if they were unable to return, especially as the exam season was drawing closer.
The WCED provides learner transport through an application-based process, managed by schools and submitted to the department for approval in accordance with prescribed criteria and policies, following the standard WCED Learner Transport Scheme (LTS) approval process.
However, the learners in question had been unable to attend school until their application processes were finalised.
They managed to stay up to date with their academics on WhatsApp.
While Sao Bras does have a hostel for learners during the week, the parents say the costs of arranging transport back for the weekends would not be affordable, as many of these families are from lower-income communities.
Some of their worries have nevertheless been eased following the department's approval.
However, a representative for the group of parents, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Mossel Bay Advertiser that while he and the parents are relieved, his worry is that accommodations will not be made to allow the learners to catch up on the parts of the school's curriculum they had missed.
"I am still concerned about there being no statement from the WCED and no apology from the Western Cape Minister of Education," he said.
"The children have been severely disadvantaged by the WCED."
In response to a query sent by the Advertiser on Tuesday 26 May, the WCED has acknowledged the above-mentioned concerns and confirmed it has been working with the school to provide ongoing support to the learners, which includes continuous monitoring of the situation and ensuring that appropriate academic support measures are in place.
"The school has developed and is implementing internal catch-up plans to support affected learners in addressing any learning gaps that may have arisen," said the department.
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