The school transport challenge: a disproportionate effect on poor learners

Abstract

Millions of public school learners walk to school or depend on risky modes of public transport. The direct and indirect costs of these modes of commuting to school disproportionately affect learners from poor families.

Dr Peter Jacobs and his research team argue that a learner transport programme funded from the public purse and targeted at qualifying learners in poor and low-income families, is critical to realise the right to basic education.