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04/12/2018
School Transport For NI Pupils To Be Reviewed
The Department of Education has announced a review of the home to school transport policy for Northern Ireland pupils.
It aims to scrutinise the efficiency and value of the current system, which has not changed in the past 20 years.
Approximately 26% of the school population, which is around 84,000 pupils, are currently eligible for transport assistance. This provision costs the Department approximately £81million per year.
Parents, children and school staff are to be consulted along with the wider public to assess how the future home to school transport policy should be shaped.
An online questionnaire has been launched on the Department's website: School Transport Survey
The review will not consider home to school transport for children with a statement of special education needs.
A number of meetings well be held by the Department in various towns across the region in the coming months.
A spokesperson said: "The current home to school transport policy has remained largely unchanged for over 20 years, however in this very difficult financial climate, we need to seriously consider whether we can continue to do things in the same way. This process of engagement is about asking all stakeholders if they think the current policy is helping the right pupils within the available resources. It is about gathering ideas and views on the shape of a future policy."
The review focus on the development of a revised financial policy, and consider the contribution that transport provision funds could make to the delivery of a broad range of Programme for Government outcomes.
"Not all options would necessarily involve a reduction in expenditure or the number of pupils in receipt of home to school transport."
As for any permanent adjustments to school transport, it will be up to ministers to enact change.
"At the end of any review of this kind it will be for a future Minister to make decisions on whether there should be changes to the current policy. This review will allow a Minister to take informed decisions on this important service."
(JG/CM)
It aims to scrutinise the efficiency and value of the current system, which has not changed in the past 20 years.
Approximately 26% of the school population, which is around 84,000 pupils, are currently eligible for transport assistance. This provision costs the Department approximately £81million per year.
Parents, children and school staff are to be consulted along with the wider public to assess how the future home to school transport policy should be shaped.
An online questionnaire has been launched on the Department's website: School Transport Survey
The review will not consider home to school transport for children with a statement of special education needs.
A number of meetings well be held by the Department in various towns across the region in the coming months.
A spokesperson said: "The current home to school transport policy has remained largely unchanged for over 20 years, however in this very difficult financial climate, we need to seriously consider whether we can continue to do things in the same way. This process of engagement is about asking all stakeholders if they think the current policy is helping the right pupils within the available resources. It is about gathering ideas and views on the shape of a future policy."
The review focus on the development of a revised financial policy, and consider the contribution that transport provision funds could make to the delivery of a broad range of Programme for Government outcomes.
"Not all options would necessarily involve a reduction in expenditure or the number of pupils in receipt of home to school transport."
As for any permanent adjustments to school transport, it will be up to ministers to enact change.
"At the end of any review of this kind it will be for a future Minister to make decisions on whether there should be changes to the current policy. This review will allow a Minister to take informed decisions on this important service."
(JG/CM)
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