KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Education Dana Morris Dixon has chided the parliamentary Opposition for what she describes as “baseless attacks” and “false allegations” against the Government’s Rural School Bus System, for which phase 1 will be rolled out starting September 2025.

In a release on Sunday, Dixon said she is particularly disappointed by remarks from Opposition Leader Mark Golding who used a political platform to disparage the buses as “old” and proposed that school children be transported by “di likkle man who have dem pro-box and AR wagon”.

The minister says equally disappointing is Opposition Senator Peter Bunting’s “false and baseless allegation” that the buses are being brought into Jamaica to “kill off di children”. Senator Bunting reportedly stated, “dem a buy used school bus fi go kill off wi school pickney dem.”

Minister Dixon emphasised that the buses  are purpose-built for student transport and are held to internationally recognised safety standards.

“Similar model buses are currently utilised in the United States and Canada. The buses are manufactured in accordance with the safety specifications of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and they undergo a rigorous maintenance and inspection regime before and after arriving in Jamaica. Our students’ safety is our foremost priority,” Morris Dixon said.

She added: “Upon arrival, each bus undergoes a comprehensive inspection and fitness testing consistent with international best practices, and they will be serviced regularly to ensure continued reliability.”

The minister also highlighted that the buses will include modern features such as GPS tracking accessible by parents, speed limiters, onboard surveillance cameras, geofencing, and a cashless payment system, all designed to enhance security and convenience for both students and parents.

“I sincerely hope that we can move the conversation forward in a manner that puts students and their families first. The Rural School Bus System is a critical investment in equity and access, especially for children living in remote areas who often face difficulties in attending school regularly. Policies and programmes must be grounded in facts. I hope the Opposition can do the right thing and leave politics out of our children’s needs. Senator Bunting must withdraw his false statement,” Morris Dixon said.

She said the Government will not be distracted from implementing its plan to bring relief, comfort and convenience to children in rural Jamaica who encounter transportation challenges on a daily basis. The system will also significantly reduce transportation costs which parents face, the minister said.