PHILIPSBURG – A committee has been established with officials from the Ministry of Education, Sports, Youth and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT), including the respective ministers, to come up with solutions to deal with the school bus issue.
“We have come together with the intention once again to work collaboratively to come up with a short-term and long-term solution concerning the school bussing transportation service,” said Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs. Speaking at the Council of Ministers Press Briefing Wednesday, April 13, Minister Jacobs said the committee has two weeks to come up with proposals.
“The joint committee held its first meeting on April 12, 2016…from their report so far, not on paper, it has been quite a positive one so far,” the Minister said.
The Ministry of Education and the School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) have been in discussion about a change in government policy governing the functions of school busses. Initially, the SBOA was against the proposed changes in regulations, arguing this would affect the livelihood of the bus drivers.
The Minister, however, argued that the changes were necessary to create a more efficient and cost-effective system and proper accounting of public funds.
