The South African Human Rights Commission's (Commission) Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) will be conducting monitoring of scholar transport challenges faced by learners in the Amathole East District Municipality.  Section 184 (1) (c) of the Constitution empowers the Commission to monitor and assess the observance of human rights throughout the country. This includes inspecting areas of potential violation and seeking redress where necessary.

Driven by unsettling social media posts from the “Made in Alice” Facebook group, the Commission’s ECPO has noted community concerns regarding the lack of scholar transport in certain Amathole East District schools. These concerns paint a troubling picture of children missing school due to lack of transport and those forced to endure long and potentially unsafe journeys to access education. 

The Commission’s ECPO monitoring will explore these areas: 

The accessibility and availability of scholar transport: Are all eligible learners receiving safe and reliable transportation to and from school?

The safety of travel routes: Are the travel routes used by students free from potential hazards and risks?

The compliance with school uniforms and appearance policy report launched by the Commission.

The impact on education and well-being: How are these challenges affecting the educational outcomes and overall well-being of learners?

The monitoring will be conducted as follows:

26 January 2024: Amathole East District 

• Ntabenkonyana High School, 
• Amabhele High School,
• Nkwekwezini High School,
• Gcato High School

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission