School bus review disappoints shadow minister for education and training

Opposition education spokesman Peter Rundle has expressed disappointment with the response to a report examining regional school bus services.

“I feel underwhelmed by the response from the minister,” Mr Rundle said.

“We tried to get this report finished by August, so that the 2023 school year would be able to use this report. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case with some of our recommendations.”

The report submitted late last year was the result of the first inquiry to be undertaken into the WA regional school bus system by a committee in 25 years.

“I think in some ways, change is not that welcome sometimes. The system, at present, funnels students to schools through the use of a zoning system. For families living in close proximity to zone borders, there is at present no scope,” Mr Rundle said.

“The committee did its work to the best of their ability and took into account the feedback that we got from bus contractors and families, and we put in what I thought were pretty realistic recommendations.”

“It’s really important that we have good-quality schooling in the regions, good-quality leadership in our schools,” Mr Rundle said.

“When I was on the farm, it was great. I’d know the kids would be there, they’d get picked up in the morning — it’s a great service.”