PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs announced on Wednesday at the Council of Minister’s Press Briefing that government is closer to streamlining the school busses policy. She said the department of legal affairs gave a number of advice as they look to tighten the policy. The Minister said that in the very near future school bus owners, parents and the schools will be informed of the changes that will be made with regards to school bus transportation.
Minister Jacobs said her Ministry has been working closely with the Ministry of TEATT to put a proper policy in place which would also allow government (Ministry of Education) to better spend their funds which are already limited.
In her statements, the Minister said that this procedure started since 2016 and they have assessed the situation. She said that government has been providing school bus transportation for free over the years but her Ministry is looking to see if those parents that could afford to pay for service will pay a fee. Minister Jacobs further explained when she was asked by SMN News if a decision was taken as to the amount parents would have to pay for the school bus transportation. The Minister said no decision was taken as the process is not yet completed. She said this year the Ministry received a much smaller budget and they have to ensure that the monies allotted to the Ministry are well spent, which each Ministry are bound by law to give proper accountability on their spending.
The Minister said that based on their assessment the country would need about 40 school buses to transport students to and from school and also to also take them to their activities outside of school Minister Jacobs further explained that while there is a need for about 40 school buses there are over 60 buses that have been invoicing government every month.
