{"id":298201,"date":"2026-04-30T08:58:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T06:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/?p=298201"},"modified":"2026-04-30T09:03:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T07:03:22","slug":"thousands-of-eastern-cape-learners-miss-school-amid-scholar-transport-disruption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/thousands-of-eastern-cape-learners-miss-school-amid-scholar-transport-disruption\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands of Eastern Cape learners miss school amid scholar transport disruption"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

EASTERN CAPE<\/strong> – The Eastern Cape Department of Education says it is hopeful that schooling will return to normal after more than 12,000 learners were absent yesterday due to disruptions linked to scholar transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the department, about 107 schools in the Buffalo City Education District were severely affected by the Eastern Cape Santaco protest, with 12,388 learners unable to attend school after transport services were disrupted, leaving many stranded at designated pickup points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some educators also reported late for duty after making alternative travel arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are working with the BCM district to ensure the lost time is recovered for all affected grades. Circuit managers will manage the implementation of all these lesson plans across the district,\u201d said Head of Department Sharon Maasdorp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the department, 62 of the affected schools are primary schools and 44 are high schools. In one instance, a secondary school was able to partially assist by transporting 15 out of 79 learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The department said it is continuing to monitor the situation with the hope that “things will be back to normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Eastern Cape said the disruptions follow the withdrawal of scholar transport services by operators over unpaid fees by the provincial government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe EFF notes with grave concern the renewed disruptions to scholar transport services, following reports that operators have withdrawn services due to persistent non-payment by the provincial government,\u201d the party said, warning that the situation threatens learners\u2019 access to education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Scholar transport disrupted as operators halt services over unpaid fees<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Eastern Cape Department of Education says over 12,000 learners missed school due to scholar transport disruptions linked to a Santaco 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