DAMMAM — Taking advantage of the lack of proper regulatory measures, illegal foreign workers are running a large part of school transportation, especially for university female students. Some of the foreigners probably even work without a license, or one that is forged. Additionally, reckless driving has resulted in accidents, causing parents to fear for the lives of their children. The problem is even more acute when the foreigners use vehicles that do not have proper safety features, air-conditioning and ventilation system. Parents who are forced to rely on these foreign workers have called for speedy implementation of a school transport project that reduces from reliance on large buses that lack hygiene and air-conditioning, in addition to the difficulty young students experience when entering and exiting these vehicles. They said traffic congestion has also necessitated the need for public school transport initiatives, lessening the dependence on private ones. One driver said that he controls more than six buses driven by fellow countrymen and earns a monthly income of nearly SR30,000. Each bus carries 12 students, bringing in a total of SR43,200 a month. Another driver said he has been in the business for three years to supplement the income he earns from his work at a private shop. He added his sponsor has allowed him to do this work outside his normal working hours and he transports 15 students for SR200 each. He pointed out his brother is also arriving in the Kingdom to work with him. As most schools do not provide transportation for most of their students, citizens who cannot register their children to be picked up by school buses have to drive them to school themselves. Due to the adverse impact on their careers, as they also have to leave work to drive them home, some are forced to resort to private bus services run by foreign workers. These parents added that it is impossible to trust a foreigner whose background has not been properly checked and who is not under the umbrella of an establishment that is responsible for him and his actions. These drivers drop off students near their homes and drive off quickly, putting the safety of children at risk. As a result, parents are calling on the Ministry of Education to solve this dilemma and stop foreign workers from monopolizing the school transportation sector. Khalid Bin Salem Al-Hammad, Director of the Department of Educational Information in the Eastern Province, said a comprehensive school transport system is being provided by Al-Ameen company. He added transport companies are regulated and cannot operate without a license from the Ministry of Transportation. He said there are penalties for violators and maintained that student transportation in the Eastern Province is satisfactory. He said a comprehensive student and teacher transportation project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education in the near future. He added students with special needs are completely catered for and that the designated age for the drivers of girls' buses is not less than 35. In addition, the contracted company tests each driver to check they have a clean bill of health and no criminal record. He also said contracted companies are obliged to abide by certain rules to ensure the safety of their vehicles and the competency of their drivers. They are also issued licenses to provide school transport services by local authorities.
