Child President calls for exclusive Zupco buses for school children

Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter

ZUPCO must consider availing exclusive buses for school children in the morning and afternoon as schools open this week to ensure that pupils do not fall prey to child molesters.

This was said by Child President Mukudzeiishe Madzivire adding that a number of school children especially girls have reported abuse or improper behaviour from some passengers in the often-overloaded buses.

“Early in the morning there is a lot of pressure when children and adults are trying to board buses. As a result, some young children are forced to sit on laps of men who end up groping them to satisfy their selfish desires. In many cases the younger pupils do not understand what will be happening and they hardly inform their parents,” he said.

Madzivire said in the wake of the complaints, junior parliamentarians were calling on Zupco to avail buses that will cater for school pupils only during the peak hours.

“We are pleading with Zupco to allocate buses that will ferry pupils alone in the morning, at least one per route so that pupils are comfortable and there is no abuse. We also call for other buses at the end of the day that will ferry them home when they knock off,” he said.

Zupco buses were introduced around cities as a means to cushion the general public against rising transport costs.

The Child President also said schools should allow pupils who have failed to pay school fees to attend lessons while their parents are seeking the money.

“We are also saying children must not be sent away from school as their parents look for funds to pay school fees, it is their Constitutional right to have access to education and it must be respected in totality,” he said.

He said the effects of children being sent way were detrimental.