TOYOTA Jamaica’s biennial Bus Di School competition will return this year.

Entries are open to preparatory, primary, and junior high schools for a chance to win a 2019 Toyota Hiace Bus valued at over $6.7 million, along with one year free scheduled maintenance up to 30,000km and free licence/registration.

“The Bus Di School competition began in 2014 as a result of the several letters being received for assistance. Our managing director, Tom Connor, thought this competition would give several schools in need the opportunity to win a bus for their school. Toyota Jamaica believes in our children’s future and through education this was just one way we could give a helping hand,” Tracy-Ann Fletcher, assistant marketing manager at Toyota Jamaica, told the Jamaica Observer’s Auto magazine.

The contest is open only to schools registered with the Ministry of Education. Schools wishing to participate must submit their entries by June 30, 2018 at any of Toyota Jamaica’s three locations or via e-mail. The entry should include a profile of the school, outlining the compelling need for a school bus, how the school plans to utilise the bus, and show how this acquisition would be beneficial to the school and its students. It must also be signed by the school’s principal.

“It is important for our students in Jamaica to have access to safe and reliable transportation, especially when some students have to travel miles to school and for schools competing in events off premises, school trips, etc. Many schools simply cannot afford to rent transportation and, as such, they do not participate,” said Fletcher.

The judging process will see a panel choosing the top 10 schools, followed by public voting of the top 10 schools via social media platform. The final decision will then be made by a selected judging panel.

The competition’s last winner was Aberdeen Primary and Junior High in St Elizabeth.