Minibus taxi strike keeps over 287 000 children home from school
4 August 2023
As a result of the SANTACO Western Cape minibus taxi strike, 287 420 learners have not been able to access their constitutional right to basic education today.
9 508 teachers and staff were also prevented from going about the crucial task of educating our children. The metro education districts were most affected by absenteeism, but challenges were experienced across the province.
Aside from minibus taxis not running, the violence and chaos we saw overnight has resulted in parents keeping children home out of fear for their safety, even if they do not normally travel on public transport.
Schools remain open, but Saturday’s #BackOnTrack classes have been cancelled. This means that the 14 000 learners offered extra classes to improve their learning outcomes will not be able to attend them because of the strike.