MoE issues statement on shortage of school buses

MoE issues statement on shortage of school buses

MoE issues statement on shortage of school buses

13 Sep 2022

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Muscat – The Ministry of Education has issued a statement on school transport in Oman after a video circulating on social media showed a bus transporting students more than its specified capacity.

The ministry said that it followed up on what is being circulated on social media and sought ‘to clarify some points related to the subject of school transportation’ for the cause of ‘transparency and partnership in aspects related to society’.

‘During the current academic year 2022-23, MoE, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, was able to provide additional funds for school transport amounting to RO3.9mn. The amount was allocated to provide 650 additional buses, to improve the condition of some buses and renting buses with larger capacity in a number of governorates.’

The ministry added that due to the shortage of buses – with required specification – available in the market, many companies have not been able to provide the buses despite the tenders awarded to them. ‘The ministry is doing its best to improve the condition of school transport and to enhance the safety specifications according to the available financial resources.’