Draft National Learner Transport Policy Presentation June 2015

1. Draft National Learner Transport Policy Presentation June 2015

2. Contents • Purpose • Background • Policy drafting process • Legislative and Policy Framework • Current state of learner transport (status quo) • Future state of learner transport (desired outcomes) • Policy focus • Scope of application • Vision and Mission • Pillars • Policy objectives and principles • Key elements of the policy • Implementation Plan

3. Purpose • The purpose of the presentation is to present approved National Learner Transport Policy.

4. Background Information • The learner transport policy development started a few years ago after the realisation of a policy gap. • As such the environment within and the manner in which learners accessed centres of learning experienced serious challenges, among others, no services at all, unsafe and unsecure methods that were used, uncoordinated services, unscrupulous operations, non-standardised methods, to mention but a few. • The following process ( with Department of Basic Education as a key partner-approved by both Minmecs) was adopted: Needs analysis Stakeholder engagement Final Policy Draft Policy Gazette for final comments Cabinet Cabinet FOSAD Implementation, M& E We are here

5. Policy drafting process 2012 National Consultation Workshop held with relevant stakeholders 2012 The Director-General approves the policy for further consultation 2013 MINMEC approval of the policy for public comments 2013 Approval of the draft policy by FOSAD for public comments 2014 Approval of the draft policy by Cabinet for public comments 2014 The publication of the policy for public comments and consultations • Finalization of draft National Learner Transport Policy 2015 Submission to and Approval of the National Learner Transport Policy by Cabinet Committee and Cabinet

6. Legislative and Policy framework • Constitution Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 • White Paper on National Transport Policy, 1996 • National Land Transport Act of 2009 • National Road Traffic of 1996 • National Public Transport Strategy and Action Plan, 2009 • South African Schools Act, 1996 • National Education Policy Act, 1996 • Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 • Children’s Act, 2005

7. Current state of learner transport Status quo • Operational issues: • Un-authorized • Un-roadworthy vehicles • Learners walking long distances • Planning issues: • Un-coordinated transport planning • Travel plans not linked transport needs

8. Current state of learner transport… Status quo • Organisational, coordination and funding • Insufficient services • Non standardised tariff formula • Institutional capacity and support • Insufficient management capacity, e.g. law enforcement • Insufficient monitoring

9. Status Quo-learners Transport Information (2014/15)

10. Future state of learner transport Desired outcomes • Timeous delivery of service • Regulated operations and reducedaccidents • Coordinated approach in relation to planning and implementation • Well maintained vehicles • Viable and sustainable operations • Uniformity of services and tariff structure • An effective performance monitoring

11. Policy Focus • Central to the transport policy is how effectively and efficiently manage learner transport operations, in a manner that support the education of learners by focusing on: • the quality of vehicles; • performance and conduct of learner transport operators; and • enhance road traffic discipline - thus how best to contribute to an efficient and harmonious operations of Road traffic and safety management system. • Ensuring effective Learner Transport Planning • Ensuring alignment and integration of transport operations and educational needs

12. Scope of application • The policy applies for the transportation of learners from grade R to 12 including learners with disabilities as defined by the SASA of 1996. • It should be understood within the context of inter-governmental relation. • Salient features include but not limited to: • Service standards and procedures • Route accessibility and design • Safety specifications and vehicle design • Capacity building and skills development, etc. • Close collaboration and monitoring of the implementing agencies

13. Vision and Mission

14. Pillars for Learner Transport Implementation Levers: • Access to transport services particularly in rural and historically disadvantaged areas • All weather accessroad infrastructure through Access road plan • Public Transport Turnaround Strategy • Integrated public transport plans [IPTNs] • Monitoring integrated planning and implementation of the programme • Funding • Legislations and regulations • Capacity building Tools: • Targeted interventions through the Road safety plan • Re-focused implementation of Rural Transport Development Plan • Safety and security for Law Enforcement of legislation and regulations • Contracting / remuneration framework to sustain operations • M & E guidelines • Establishment of a management structure • Sectoral Key performance indicators andreporting templates • Communication and Awareness workshops

15. Policy objectives and principles Policy principles • Equity and redress • Quality and Effectiveness • Operational safety and efficiency • Operational sustainability • Multi-modal integration Policy objectives • To guide the implementation of a shared vision to improve access to quality education through a coordinated and aligned learner transport system. • To improve the planning and implementation of an integrated learner transport service. • To ensure an effective management of learner transport system. • To provide reliable, safe and secure transport for learners through co-operation and collaboration with law enforcement authorities.

16. Key elements of the policy • Institutional Framework for the implementation of learner transport • Learner transport planning, • Learner transport safety and security • Criteria for learner Transport Beneficiaries • Service Design for learner transport • Procurement of learner transport services • Remuneration of learner transport operators • Funding • Modal Integration • Universal Design • Law Enforcement • Monitoring and evaluation.

17. Key elements of the draft policy… • Institutional Framework for the implementation of learner transport: • National government will oversee the implementation of the policy in consultation of relevant stakeholders including provinces, municipalities and School Governing Bodies (SGBs). In this regard a national Inter-Departmental institutional mechanism will be established to oversee and monitor the implementation of the policy in line with the key performance indicators developed • At the provincial and local level, institutional mechanism will be established to foster integrated planning, effective monitoring and delivery of learner transport services.

18. Key elements of the draft policy…. • Learner transport planning: • A joint planning committee on learner transport with representatives of the Provincial Department of Transport (PDOT) Provincial Department of Education (PDE), Municipalities must be established • Learner transport safety and security: • Learner transport vehicles used to transport learners have to meet the safety requirements of the National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996) applicable to the transportation of passengers • Criteria for learner Transport Beneficiaries: • Beneficiaries for subsidised learner transport must be for a needy learner from Grade R to Grade 12. • Subsidized learner transport must take into account existing public transport services

19. Key elements of the draft policy… • Service Design for learner transport: • The implementing departments in consultation with other relevant stakeholders must design a well-defined learner transport service which includes roads infrastructure, pick-up/drop off points/stops and signage for the safe transportation of learner • Procurement of learner transport services: • Only authorised operators with approved modes of transport shall be contracted for the learner transport provision • Remuneration of learner transport operators: • A standardised measure of remuneration for subsidised learner transport shall be based on total kilometres travelled • Factors such as road condition shall be considered

20. Key elements of the draft policy.. • Funding: • Learner Transport shall be funded through provincial treasuries budget allocations • Modal Integration: • Implementing department must promote the use of all modes in the transportation of learners, including cycling, walking. Measures must be taken to ensure that the all modes are integrated and complement one another. • Universal Design: • Vehicles transporting learners must adhere to the requirements and principle of universal design, especially those that are transporting learners with disabilities

21. Key elements of the draft policy.. • Law Enforcement: • Provincial Departments of Transport and municipalities shall ensure that there is sufficient and efficient law enforcement to monitor these operators. Punitive measures should be taken against operators that transport learners without regard to the national road traffic regulation in unroadworthy vehicles and overloading. • Monitoring and Evaluation: • An independent assessment shall be undertaken every three years on the impact of programme implementation

22. Policy Implementation Plan

23. Policy Implementation Plan

24. Policy Implementation Plan

25. Policy Implementation Plan

26. Policy Implementation Plan

27. Thank You