For thousands of South African schoolchildren, the journey to
education begins with a long walk. Before the sun rises, children in
rural villages and under-resourced communities are already on the
road, walking kilometres to get to school. Some travel along isolated

roads, others navigate busy highways, exposing themselves to
safety risks just to access what should be a basic right. And by the
time they reach the classroom, some are already exhausted before
the school day has even begun.
South Africa’s Constitution guarantees every child the right to basic
education, but that right means little if a child cannot safely get to
school. Scholar transport is a critical intervention designed to help
eligible learners overcome geographical and financial barriers. Yet
questions remain about whether the system is adequately meeting
the needs of learners, particularly those in rural communities, and
what happens to children who fall outside the criteria or are left
without transport.
Tonight, we examine the realities facing learners who walk long
distances to school. How does this affect their safety, attendance
and academic performance? What responsibility do government
departments have to ensure that eligible learners receive transport?
And ultimately, can we claim to provide equal access to education
when the journey to the classroom is already an obstacle?