Gauteng Department of Education pleads for uninterrupted scholar transport amid payment delays
Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane has called for the uninterrupted delivery of scholar transport services across the province as the department works to settle outstanding payments to service providers.
In a statement issued on February 6, Chiloane urged calm among stakeholders as engagements with public scholar transport service providers continue.
“The Gauteng Department of Education appeals for calm among all stakeholders as engagements with public scholar transport service providers continue and processes to fulfil outstanding payments progress,” Chiloane said.
He said the department remains actively engaged with service providers in good faith to reach an amicable and sustainable resolution.
“We reiterate our appeal for the uninterrupted provision of scholar transport services in the best interests of learners who depend on the programme for safe and consistent access to education,” he said.
In response to recent disruptions, Chiloane said schools had been advised to prepare and implement academic recovery and catch-up programmes to mitigate learning losses and ensure that teaching and learning remain on track.
“Learner safety, access to education and overall well-being remain our highest priorities. We are fully cognisant of the strain this situation has placed on our communities,” he said.
“We will continue to engage all affected stakeholders constructively and remain confident that these engagements will lead to a resolution. We therefore appeal for calm as we work diligently within the required processes to conclude this matter.”
The appeal follows the department’s earlier acknowledgement of challenges affecting the GDE Scholar Transport Programme, which led some service providers to halt operations on Monday, February 2, 2026.
The disruption affected learners and contributed to low attendance at some schools.
The department said it has been engaging scholar transport service providers to address outstanding payments and reaffirmed its commitment to settling unpaid invoices.
“We appealed to service providers to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted transportation of learners under the programme as we work tirelessly within available financial processes to finalise payments,” the department said.
He said while the matter is being resolved, schools have again been advised to implement appropriate academic recovery measures to ensure teaching and learning continue.
“Safety, access and the well-being of learners remain a priority. We will continue to engage all affected stakeholders to resolve the impasse, and we are confident these engagements will enable operators to resume services,” Chiloane said.
He added that the department remains committed to collaboration and constructive engagement with stakeholders and encouraged them to raise concerns directly with the department.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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