In the village of Souk El Djemaa, located in the commune of Toudja, Algeria, parents of students continued their protest for the fifth consecutive day. They closed the local APC (Assemblée Populaire Communale) office, demanding that authorities provide school transport for their children. The students are enrolled in a middle school (CEM) in the neighboring commune of Béni Ksila. The lack of transport has forced some students to use tractors, trucks, or hitchhike to get to school.
According to a parent, the protest will persist until the APC addresses the issue. The parent stated that the situation is dire, with children often arriving late to school, negatively impacting their education. Despite the APW (Assemblée Populaire de Wilaya) promising to allocate funds to the APC to tackle the problem, the mayor has yet to initiate consultations with private transport providers. The parent expressed frustration, highlighting that the current situation is unacceptable.
The President of the APW of Béjaïa, M'henni Haddadou, announced that a budget for school transport would be allocated to communes in the 2020 budget. However, the mayor of Toudja claimed that even with the allocated funds, he would not be able to meet the demands of the parents. The mayor explained that the commune has 52 villages and 12 buses, with six already providing transport to students in Toudja and El Kseur.
The mayor of Toudja implied that the parents of Souk El Djemaa are responsible for the situation, as they chose to enroll their children in Béni Ksila instead of using local schools. The mayor stated that last year, the APW provided a subsidy of 150 million centimes for school transport, but the actual cost was 764 million centimes. The mayor's comments suggest that the commune is struggling to provide transport services.
The protest in Toudja highlights the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing education. The lack of school transport is a significant issue, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure. The situation in Souk El Djemaa is a prime example of the difficulties faced by students and their families.
The APW's promise to allocate funds for school transport is seen as a potential solution to the problem. However, the mayor's comments suggest that the funds may not be sufficient to address the issue. The situation in Toudja requires a collaborative effort from local authorities, parents, and the community to find a solution that benefits the students.
The protest in Toudja is a reminder of the importance of addressing the needs of rural communities. The situation highlights the need for effective communication and collaboration between local authorities, parents, and the community to ensure that students have access to quality education.
Key points
- Parents in Toudja, Algeria, are protesting the lack of school transport for their children, who are enrolled in a middle school in a neighboring commune.
- The APW has promised to allocate funds for school transport in the 2020 budget, but the mayor of Toudja claims that it may not be enough to address the issue.
- The situation in Toudja highlights the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing education and the need for effective communication and collaboration to find a solution.
