School services in regional South Australia are up for review for the first time since 2006
School bus services in regional South Australian will be reviewed to ensure resources are allocated to help as many students as possible, for the first time since 2006.
There are over 470 school bus services running across the state catering for about 16,000 students on a daily basis.
The review will investigate how regional students are catered for.
Minister for Regional Development and Member for Frome Geoff Brock was instrumental in establishing the review.
“Last year I put a motion to the parliament to have the current policy reviewed to reflect the educational needs of children in regional areas across the state,” he says.
The review will seek feedback from parents and students, schools, governing councils, principal associations and the education union, as well as non-government schools, bus contractor associations and owner operators.
It will be led by the Department for Education and Child Development.
Education and Child Development Minister Jennifer Rankine says the review will explore common issues that have been raised about perceived inequalities in bus services for regional students.
“The review will also look at how important these issues are in terms of what is working, community values and support, and what resources could be reconfigured to improve these services,” she says.
“When we came to Government in 2002, there were only four school buses with seatbelts.
“Now, it is anticipated by the end of 2016 all school buses will have seatbelts and air-conditioning.”
The last time the School Transport Policy was reviewed was 2006.