Learn to drive: at school
DRIVING schools are seeking clarity following an announcement by Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education, that driving and learner’s licences would be offered in schools.
The Department of Basic Educations plans to implement the programme in conjunction with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
Following the recent announcement, some driving schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng held a protest.
In KZN, driving schools drove slowly toward the office of Premier Sihle Zikalala in Pietermaritzburg to hand over a memorandum, which was received by a staff member on his behalf. The slow drive on N3 resulted in a traffic backlog.
The memorandum was put together by the Ubumbano Driving School Operations Association. In the memorandum, Mzwandile Zondi, the spokesperson for the association, requested clarity regarding the school programme.
He also raised their concerns about not receiving Covid-19 relief and the poor condition of testing ground facilities. The association requested they be given a section on the road to give lessons.
Ishwar Maneckchund, the owner of Ishwar's Driving School in Woodhurst, Chatsworth, said: “How will we fit into the picture regarding the school programme? This is our livelihoods.”
He said grades 11 and 12 were crucial years for pupils, and offering them driving and learners licences would be irresponsible as it would add to their stress.
Maneckchund said driving school operators had a number of concerns, and the latest development resulted in the protest. “For many years, we have asked for a special lane on the roads to teach and for lavatories at training grounds, but we have been ignored. We were also overlooked for Covid-19 financial relief.”
Omar Gengat, the owner of Omar's Driving School, who runs his business in Durban North, uMhlanga and Ballito, said the school programme seemed like a good initiative if done with the right intention and purpose.
“It would, hopefully, produce better drivers. But the department needs to include local and registered driving schools to be part of the programme. We cannot be left out of pocket. All we want is clarity on what their intentions are and how do we factor in as we stand to lose.”
Kissoon Sahadeo, the owner of Clayfield Driving School in Phoenix, said: “Before this announcement, we should have been consulted. We are still recovering from the effects of the hard lockdown due to Covid-19, and we have not received any relief from the Department of Transport. They have made provision for the taxi associations but not for us.”
Parents had a mixed reaction to the announcement.
Sally Govender of Phoenix said: “If schools can teach our children about the rules of the road early, we could produce better drivers. My daughter is in grade 10. If the programme is offered, next year, I would encourage her to join but only if she can cope with her studies.”
Jesse Naido of Chatsworth said: “It is a great idea, and my son, who is in grade 11, will surely benefit from these lessons.”
Collin Padayachee of Verulam, who has a child in Grade 10, said: “Children have lost out on a lot of work over the past two years. Now that things are somewhat normalising, we cannot afford for them to be sidetracked.”
Elijah Mhlanga, the spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education, said the theory aspect of the lessons had already been incorporated in life orientation.
“For curriculum purposes, all grades can learn, but for licensing purposes, it will be only those allowed by law.”
Mhlanga said driving schools had misunderstood the programme’s intention.
“In terms of national policy, only the minister determines curriculum content. As for the other matters, the driving schools must address their concerns with RTMC.”
He said the exact details were yet to be finalised.
The Department of Transport and RTMC had not commented by the time of publication.