Logistics, finances and private sector cooperation are some of the challenges the Ministry of Education has encountered in attempts to move forward plans for private school buses.
However, “we still have the audacity for optimism within the ministry and, indeed, the wider government”, Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said in Parliament this week.
She was responding to Sir Alden McLaughlin, MP for Red Bay, who reminded her that in April, members of Parliament voted unanimously in favour of his private member’s motion.
It asked for the government to mandate that students use buses to travel to and from private schools in order to alleviate traffic congestion on Cayman’s roads at peak times.
The motion also asked the government to consider offering duty concessions to private schools to purchase their own buses.
On Wednesday, 20 Sept., McLaughlin requested an update from the minister.
O’Connor-Connolly said the ministry reviewed the matter “as promised”. A caucus meeting was held and a Cabinet note prepared, which the minister submitted on 30 May.
“As the honourable member would appreciate, this is a multifaceted project, which inevitably requires some decisions outside of my ministry,” the education minister said.
More clarity needed
McLaughlin said he appreciated that the minister may be encountering some difficulties on this issue, but asked if government had approved or will approve the project.
O’Connor-Connolly responded, “The issues remain, from a logistical standpoint, from a financial standpoint, from a willingness of the private sector to cooperate.”
She added: “The motion will be given all of our energies and synergies to try to come to a positive conclusion.
“I cannot give a guarantee to that effect because the success rate has not been 100%, but I live in hope.”
McLaughlin asked again whether or not Cabinet has approved or will approve a policy on private school buses.
“This House and the Cabinet has the authority to ensure that… steps necessary to ensure [quality of life of all who live here] are taken by legislation, if not simply by policy,” he said.
The education minister said the ministry’s Cabinet note set out all of the different issues and challenges, and decisions that needed to be made.
It was “duly noted” by Cabinet, O’Connor-Connolly said, and there were discussions on “some severe restrictions in seeing the policy become reality”.
She offered to share the note outside of Parliament with the MP.
No green light
McLaughlin asked if there was any Cabinet paper proposing a policy or merely the advisory note.
O’Connor-Connolly said the “very detailed and thought-out note” was prepared by technical staff within the ministry. She said they were seeking a “steer” and that was what was given.
“Because concerns were serious enough, it was not necessary, I certainly was not given a green light to prepare a paper,” she added.
“There are a number of considerations to be done, it’s still a work in progress, but until I’m given the funding, direction, and support from all members, that’s the best that I can do.”
In August, several private school leaders told the Compass they had no current plans to introduce bus services.
While they said they were not against the idea, they suggested it would require greater discussion with parents and financial support from government.
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