Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Online Reporter
Night travel for learners heading back to school has been prohibited by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), which has also announced it will be on the lookout for unroadworthy vehicles as the back-to-school fever grips the country.
Schools open for the Third Term on Tuesday.
On Monday morning, a majority of boarders began making their way back to their respective schools in the outskirts of the city, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces.
In Bulawayo, hundreds of pupils were seen boarding buses at the City Hall parking area and OK Mart to travel to their schools.
Some boarding schools resorted to hiring buses from local day schools to cater for learners heading back for the start of the new term.
The ZRP has appealed to parents, guardians, school authorities and the public at large to prioritise the safety and security of children.
Police urges transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are certified fit before attempting to transport children to schools. Drivers should exercise caution, avoid speeding and, above all, motorists are implored to comply with all road rules and regulations to prevent road traffic accidents, said ZRP in a statement.
The police reiterated that night travel will not be allowed.
Parents and school authorities must ensure that learners do not travel at night, as this can expose them to various risks, including road traffic accidents. School authorities and transporters should ensure that buses and other forms of transport to be utilised for the movement of pupils are not overloaded at all costs.
To further enhance safety, schools have also been urged to deposit school fees and tuition-related costs with financial institutions.
This precautionary measure will help minimise the risks of robbery and theft, as large sums of cash at school premises attract criminal attention.
