Parents of a local primary school deserve urgent answers from the Education Authority (EA) after it was left without school transport, Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O’Lynn has said.
Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Glenravel is currently without a school bus driver following illness, meaning dozens of pupils have been left without transport to the school.
Alliance MLA Dr O’Lynn said it showed a shocking lack of preparation by the EA.
“I’ve been contacted by over 40 parents, all concerned about the lack of transport provision for the school for a number of days now. Due to a shocking lack of preparation by the EA, they will now have to find some other way to get their children to school, or else they will miss out,” she said.
“In the midst of a cost of living crisis, some parents will now potentially have to take time off work to provide childcare themselves at short notice. It’s difficult to believe the EA had no back-up plan or additional support in place and I have contacted them to ask about this matter.
“This is only the latest in a long-line of transport provision issues here, with the shuttle bus serving the area having inadequate capacity, and often having to make multiple runs to cover the area. As the school is in a rural area, pedestrian access is difficult, heightened by the lack of a designated crossing point or lollipop service.
“I have raised these issues, as well as the urgent need for a new school building, in the Assembly. This is another call to the EA and the Department of Education for an urgent review of transport provision and for a better offering for Glenravel.”
A number of parents have also reached out to North Antrim Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan.
"It is completely unacceptable that the EA haven't found alternative provision to ensure children are able to be bussed as normal to Primary School," commented Mr McGuigan.
"I have spoken to the EA and find their explanation totally unacceptable. They need to resolve this situation in the interest of parents and children as a matter of urgency."