Education
December 21, 2012

Contract Awarded for School Transportation Review

A contract valued at almost $75,000 has been awarded to Deloitte, a well-known professional service company, to conduct an independent review and evaluation of the school transportation system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Deloitte has demonstrated expertise in student transportation issues and has conducted similar reviews in Ontario, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “I am confident this evaluation will provide valuable insight into how we can enhance school transportation services, within existing budgets, with the needs and safety of students remaining the first priority. I look forward to seeing the results of their review.”

The Provincial Government issued a Request for Proposals in November for an independent consultant to carry out a review of current school transportation policies and practices to determine if the system is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Minister Jackman said the review will include an evaluation of service delivery models, school busing eligibility zones, courtesy seating arrangements, the delivery of driver training programs, an examination into the relative benefits of surveillance cameras and other technological equipment to enhance student safety, and more. The work will also involve a review of student transportation programs in other jurisdictions, including data collection and analysis of programs, policies and practices.

Information on current school busing policies and guidelines can be viewed at: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/busing/index.html.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2012 12 21                                    3:25 p.m.