School transport to be provided as usual on Monday as co-op reverses decision

School bus services will be provided as usual on Monday, the Minibuses' cooperative said, reversing a decision to suspend services owing to 'safety concerns' during election celebrations.

The cooperative's initial announcement on Tuesday had drawn a sharp rebuke from the Education Department, which said schools would open normally on Monday and it expected the transport providers to observe their contractual obligations. 

The children's commissioner on Wednesday also insisted that post-election celebrations should not disrupt children's right to education.

In a statement, the cooperative said it had reversed its decision following talks with the Education Ministry, where its concerns were addressed. 

"The Education Department has provided assurances that special measures and traffic arrangements will be put in place, in coordination with other entities, in order to ensure that the transport of school children on the 1st June may be carried out notwithstanding that it is envisaged that, as is normal practice, our roads will be characterised by carcades and rejoicing revellers," the cooperative said.

It also urged parents to provide all necessary cooperation for the seamless provision of the service. 

"Coop's primary concern was, and will always be, the safety and security of the school children which it is tasked to transport to their respective schools and back home," the statement said.