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| Councillor Winston Maragh - Rock Point Division |
Jamaica is implementing a new school bus system designed to target rural students. This has created significant controversy in the country. The People's National Party refer to these buses as old buses. One leader claimed that these buses were brought in to 'kill people pickney.'
I had a talk with Councillor Winston Maragh, who represents the Rocky Point Division, to get his perspective on the system and also to share some ideas with him.
Councillor Maragh says he is happy with the new school bus system.
Vernon Derby feels that we are not marketing the system properly to the people. It's about PNP versus JLP.
Will adults be allowed to travel on these buses?
Councillor Maragh says with the new school bus system, students' daily fare will drop from about JAD1200 to JAD200.
Mr. Maragh mentionend some of the modern features of the new school bus system.
When Councillor Winston Maragh was the mayor of May Pen, he had started an initiative to have a safe zone for students.
Vernon explained that we need to get the message out to the people so they can understand what is planned.
Host Vernon Derby reminded Mr. Maragh about the Dino Bus Scandal when Jamaica imported so-called Dino buses from Mexico. The government had to repay the bus owners over JAD70 million dollars.
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Weather
Comment…Both features are expected to remain across the island over the next few days. Expect windy conditions to persist, especially across southern parishes, due to the presence of the Low-level Jet Stream. Additionally, a plume of Saharan Air Layer currently across the central Caribbean is forecast to bring hazy conditions across Jamaica through to the end of the week.
24-HOUR FORECAST
Tonight… Partly cloudy. Windy along the south coast.
Tomorrow Morning… Isolated showers across sections of eastern parishes, otherwise partly cloudy and hazy. Windy across southern parishes.
Tomorrow Afternoon… Cloudy with showers and isolated thunderstorms across western parishes and hilly areas elsewhere, otherwise mostly cloudy, hazy and windy.
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I agree with Vernon that the drivers MUST be specially TRAINED to speak to the students, how to handle conflicts, how to maintain discipline etc. Each bus MUST have a ‘bus monitor person’, specially trained as well. Will teachers be allowed to travel on these buses as well?
ReplyDeleteThere must be a publicly known Code of Conduct and the procedures to manage problematic situations so students are made aware of course that incidents of indiscipline will follow.
- Cameras MUST be installed!
- Code of conduct MUST be inscribed on the exterior of the vehicle!
- Parents are to ensure that their child/children are aware of the code of conduct and the consequences of violation, which should include Community Service.
This bus system has cost the tax payer over $1Billion dollars, our children are precious to us and this is necessary expenditure however it must be cared for, properly maintained and managed.
I trust that the systems will be put in place to ensure proper and efficient management.
Half a loaf is better than no bread at all, it’s the cost of the loaf that’s in contention
ReplyDeleteI think going for brand new Toyota Coasters with the money would serve us better.
ReplyDeleteThose Coasters are strong, flexible and maneuverable in many rural spaces and school compounds.