Parents, Teachers, Principals Welcome Rural School Bus Programme

Key education stakeholders are throwing their support behind the government’s rural school bus programme, in the face of a coordinated attack from the opposition People’s National Party, PNP.

The country’s national parent teachers’ association has been joined by at least three rural area principals in supporting the move.

Shaloy Smikle has more in this report.

The rural school bus programme has been attacked by the opposition PNP as the importation of old buses that risks endangering the lives of rural children.

But speaking on Nationwide at Five on Monday, president of the National Parent Teachers Association, Stewart Jacobs, dismissed the PNP’s criticism. He says the nation’s parents are celebrating the programme.

The buses will feature a dedicated warden, speed monitors and security cameras.

For principal of Norwich Primary School in Portland, Joy Thompson, the pilot of the programme has eased the transportation woes of her students.

Over in St. Catherine, principal of Mount Rosser Primary, Kevin Whittick, described the programme as a plus. He says if it’s implemented right, teachers could also benefit.