Particular wants establishments are among the many beneficiaries of the Authorities’s Rural College Bus System, a strategic transfer aimed toward advancing fairness and inclusive entry throughout the training sector.
Talking throughout Wednesday’s (August 27) Blessing Ceremony for the Nationwide Rural College Bus Programme at Jamaica Home, Minister of Science, Power, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, introduced that within the first part, 12 faculty buses shall be assigned to serve particular wants establishments.
“One other two [are] to be added in part two, with extra faculties for kids with particular must observe. This ensures that no baby, no matter capability or circumstance, is left behind,” he mentioned.
Minister Vaz suggested that plans stay on observe for the official rollout of the programme’s first part on Monday, September 8, as faculties resume following orientation for the 2025-26 educational yr.
He acknowledged that part one will profit 1000’s of scholars throughout 258 establishments islandwide, with 55 of the 122 designated routes being launched in all parishes, served by 60 of the preliminary 110 faculty buses.
“The remaining 40 buses shall be launched step by step between September and November, with a further 10 buses held in reserve to ensure continuity of service,” the Minister added.
Mr. Vaz famous that between 2022 and 2025, a complete of 73 kids misplaced their lives in highway crashes, together with 12 fatalities recorded up to now this yr
“Every loss represents not only a baby’s unfulfilled desires, however a household’s heartbreak and a group’s grief. These sobering realities remind us that this programme is just not elective, it’s important, and it’s needed,” he emphasised.
Describing the initiative as “one of the crucial transformational… that has taken place within the transport business”, Minister Vaz affirmed that the system will present secure, dependable, and cost-effective transportation for college kids.
“It’s about fairness, security and dignity, guaranteeing kids in rural parishes can journey to high school with out concern. For years, kids in city areas have benefited from a structured faculty bus system via the Jamaica City Transit Firm (JUTC). Come the September [2025] faculty time period, that dedication extends to rural Jamaica,” he declared.
