A local school in Ottery says rising inflation and fuel prices are placing increasing pressure on its transport budget

Christel House South Africa (CHSA) is a no-fee independent school that transports 1 006 learners from 30 underserved communities across the Cape Flats to its campus in Ottery daily.

For many families, reliable transport is the difference between accessing quality education and being excluded from it altogether, according to school spokesperson Megan Losper.

Unlike most schools, transport is one of the core pillars of the organisation’s holistic education model, alongside nutritious meals, health care, psychosocial support, academic support and its College and Career programme, she added.

“Education doesn’t begin when a child walks into a classroom, but when they have a safe and reliable way to get there,” said Development and Partnerships Director Lara Black.

“Every increase at the fuel pump has a direct impact on our learners being able to access education.”

Budget under strain

The school says its current transport budget is simply not enough, and with ongoing volatility in fuel prices, the cost of keeping children on the road to education is expected to increase even further.

The organisation opened its second high school in May, significantly expanding access to quality secondary education, and added a new Grade RR classroom to meet growing demand for early-childhood development.

The junior school expansion will increase capacity by 50%, growing learner enrolment from 1 006 to approximately 1 410 children.

“As we grow, so too do the operational costs that make education possible,” said Black.

“Transport is one of the critical enablers of our model, yet it’s often invisible to those outside the education sector. Without it, our learners simply wouldn’t be able to attend school consistently or safely.”

Call for support

Christel House South Africa is inviting individual donors, corporate partners, businesses, foundations and transport providers to help ensure rising transport costs do not become another barrier to education.

“Every bus journey represents far more than a trip to school,” said Black.

“It represents hope, opportunity and the chance for a child to fulfil their potential.”

The volatility in fuel prices is rendering transporting children unsustainable. Donations can be made at www.sa.christelhouse.org by selecting “Transport” as the preferred area of support.

Monthly giving is also available via the website.

For more information, contact Lara Black at lblack@sa.christelhouse.org.

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