By Levy Masiteng 

Gauteng’s education department said scholar transport services across the province were expected to fully resume from Monday, 16 February, after a meeting with transport operators resolved issues, including outstanding payments and learner verification processes.

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane gave the update on Tuesday after “a constructive engagement” aimed at stabilising the programme and restoring uninterrupted access to education for learners.

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The meeting involved associations representing about 250 contracted scholar transport service providers, operating an estimated 3,600 buses and transporting roughly 238,000 learners daily across Gauteng, the department said.

The meeting followed the suspension of services by some operators related to delayed payments.

“The discussions were extensive and frank, with all parties acknowledging that the continued disruption of learner transport was untenable and not in the best interest of learners, parents or communities,” the department said.

It said the talks resulted in “a shared commitment to normalise services while outstanding matters are addressed through the appropriate administrative and financial processes”.

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The department said all matters within its mandate were resolved, including “resolution of payment matters, including confirmation that outstanding invoices for November 2025 will be processed and paid by the end of the current week”.

It also reached agreement on “processes related to learner verification and confirmation of transported learners, including clarity on the learner verification forms currently signed at schools and the department’s transition towards a digitised system”.

Following the resolutions, operators committed to consult with their members on a phased resumption of services, taking into account logistical challenges linked to the earlier suspension, including “the temporary removal of vehicles for safety and asset protection reasons,” the department said.

“In principle, full scholar transport operations across the province are expected to resume from Monday, 16 February 2026, marking the return to normal service delivery,” it said.

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Chiloane said the department remained concerned about the impact of disruptions on learners, including academic setbacks and exposure to unsafe transport alternatives.

“We acknowledge the frustration and distress experienced by learners, parents and communities during this period. The disruption of scholar transport services is not a situation we take lightly, and we regret the inconvenience caused,” Chiloane said.

“We are encouraged by the progress made and remain confident that the resolutions reached will lead to the full normalisation of scholar transport services across Gauteng, ensuring that learner safety, dignity and access to education remain protected at all times,” he said.

INSIDE EDUCATION