Parents of students in the Hnayna region of Nazour, Zghwan governorate, are urging authorities to extend the school bus route and add a new stop to ease the commute for approximately 50 students, including two with special needs. The children currently have to walk nearly 4 kilometers to reach the bus stop, traversing rugged terrain and dry riverbeds, which poses significant risks, especially during rainfall and flooding.
The parents have expressed their willingness to provide and prepare a plot of land for the bus to turn and stop, along with the necessary documents for its allocation, in an effort to facilitate the implementation of the proposal and resolve logistical issues. They claim to have submitted formal requests to relevant authorities and local and regional powers since 2024, but the issue remains unresolved.
The parents are demanding urgent intervention to add a stop closer to their homes and ensure safer transportation for the students. They highlighted the challenges faced by students in the region, including late returns home. According to the parents, their children face significant difficulties in accessing education due to the long and hazardous commute.
Zghwan MP Hassan Ben Ali has spoken about the challenges facing the school transportation sector with the start of the new academic year. He emphasized efforts to coordinate with the Ministry of Transport and the Regional Transport Company of Nabeul to provide new buses and strengthen the fleet, as well as accelerate the recruitment of drivers.
Ben Ali expressed surprise at the breakdown of two buses on the first day of school, particularly on the Ain Btoum and Oulad Eissa lines, raising questions about the readiness of maintenance workshops and preparedness for the back-to-school season. He stated that he has been in touch with the CEO of the Regional Transport Company of Nabeul to address these issues and prevent their recurrence.
The MP voiced his hopes for an improvement in the school transportation situation and a successful academic year in various regions of Zghwan governorate. He emphasized the importance of addressing the transportation challenges to ensure that students can attend school safely and securely.
The situation highlights the need for authorities to prioritize the provision of safe and reliable transportation for students, particularly in rural and remote areas. The parents' demands for a new bus stop and improved transportation services reflect the broader challenges facing the education sector in Tunisia.
Key points
- Parents in Tunisia's Nazour region demand a new school bus stop to ease commute for 50 students, including two with special needs.
- Zghwan MP Hassan Ben Ali reports efforts to improve school transportation, including provision of new buses and recruitment of drivers.
- The situation underscores the need for authorities to prioritize safe and reliable transportation for students in rural and remote areas.
