Due to the lack of safe transport options, many students in Eastern Cape have resorted to hitchhiking. This alarming trend confirms the dire conditions that students face while commuting to school. Parents are increasingly worried, as there have been reports of violence and accidents involving minors on their way to education.
Parents have voiced serious concerns about the safety of their children while hitchhiking to school. Incidents of sexual assault and accidents have sparked fears for the well-being of the students. Many families now feel that getting an education puts their children's lives at risk owing to inadequate transport safety measures.
In light of the present issues, the Department of Transport is taking steps to improve student transportation. A process to screen vehicles for roadworthiness is set to begin next week, aiming for safer travel for students. They assure that outstanding payments will be settled to improve the service offered, aiming for a much-needed enhancement for the upcoming school year.
In the Eastern Cape, students have been pushed into unsafe hitchhiking as the only alternative to get to school. Parents express serious concerns over the safety of their children, highlighting alarming incidents such as a child drowning and cases of rape. Many learners have cited missing classes due to these hazardous travel methods, which disrupt their education. The ongoing fear and dangers associated with hitchhiking have become a tragic reality for many families. The Department of Transport is currently working to rectify the situation by ensuring all payments to service providers are processed promptly, aiming for improved transport services for the new school year.
