Seat belts a move towards reform
The National Parents Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges welcomes Education Minister Mary Hanafin’s pledge to introduce some necessary steps demanded for reform of the school transport system.
It is a positive development that a target date of December 2006 has been set to have all seats on the Bus Éireann fleet fitted with seat belts. This is an indicator, which can be tracked, and a commitment to parents and students, which we acknowledge.
Furthermore, the statement that “All school transport to be on a one child per seat basis by December 2006”, is a long-sought demand by our organisation.
We are delighted the minister is taking on board some of our proposed solutions and we use this opportunity to extend the invitation to the minister to meet regularly to continue this process of supporting meaningful partnership in education.
Ms Hanafin also indicated that there will be a relevant increase in the bus fleet, and has given a timescale with it. This, too, is very welcome.
However, we have a slight concern in relation to another measure announced and that is that the calculation of the seat availability for concessionary/catchment boundary passengers will be on a one child per seat basis.
On the surface this looks good but we ask the minister to clarify how this will affect students who are close to the catchment’s limit but not precisely within the boundary, as is now set.
In the past, some leeway has been set on occasions but will this continue?
In particular, where a student has accessed school bus transport but was not strictly within the guidelines, will his brother or sister starting school in September receive the same facility?
If not, will some parents be in the position that they have to find alternative means of transport for the younger child?
Trish Forde-Brennan
PRO, National Parents Association of Vocational Schools and Community Colleges
The Fairways
Old School House Road
Monaleen
Castletroy
Limerick
