(a) Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provincial Education Departments are the two provinces that had such cases and can be best placed to respond on what form of support they offered to parents.
(b) The Department of Transport, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, have developed a National Learner Transport Policy (NLTP); which was approved by Cabinet in 2015, with the sole intention of regulating the implementation of learner transport programme. The Learner Transport Programme is a shared responsibility between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Transport.
The provisioning and prioritisation of learner transport programme is a provincial competency; and the national Departments of Basic Education and Transport monitor the provisioning of learner transport programme in provinces. The National Policy provides that national government will oversee the implementation of the Policy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including provinces, municipalities and school governing bodies (SGBs) amongst others.
In cases where parents have lost their children through subsidised learner transport programme, the provincial Departments of Education and Transport provide psycho-social support to the affected learners and parents.