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School transport on road to uncertainty, as fuel crisis deepens
View(s):The problems parents, schoolchildren, teachers and school transport operators face are aggravating with a prolonged fuel shortage and record fuel price increases.
They fear the situation will only get worse with the decision by the Education Ministry to call in all students from tomorrow, a change from last week’s decision for students to attend school in batches.
Fewer buses on the road; longer hours at bus stands. Pic by Eshan Fernando
All Island Schoolchildren Transportation Association president Mal de Silva said not many school vans and buses were running due to the fuel shortage, with their drivers carrying plastic cans going in search of fuel and joining long queues at night.
“Last week, we requested the Government to give priority to school transport vehicles at fuel sheds if they carried the All-Island School Children Transportation Association’s membership card. But we did not get a positive response,” he lamented, pointing out that some 48,000 private vehicles operate throughout the country, taking children to school.
He also said that with the fuel prices skyrocketing, operators have increased the charges.
A parent from Ja-Ela complained about the exorbitant amounts charged by school transport vehicle operators in view of fuel price hikes.
“Parents are desperate especially when there are fewer private buses on the road,” he said.
Mayuri, a parent from Athurugiriya, said, “Last Sunday, the school van driver called to inform us that he won’t be operating this week. We had to take our son studying in a primary class and bring him back home. Many parents are struggling with the shortage of private buses too.”
Teachers too faced the same situation.
“We welcomed the decision to call students in batches. Ideally the re-opening of schools should have postponed until the fuel crisis is sorted out. The situation will only get worse when all the students are called in at once,” said Ceylon Teacher Services Union General Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe.
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