From the first day of Term 1, 2024, the barrier of travel and distance in the Barkly region will become easier for hundreds of students.
The Territory Labor Government is implementing the first dedicated school bus transport service in the township of Tennant Creek to help get more children to school each and every day.
There are currently 378 students enrolled at Tennant Primary and 147 at Tennant Creek High School. The implementation of this bus service will make getting to school easier for students, aiming to get more children to school each and every day.
The dedicated school buses will be operated by CDC Northern Territory and cover the Greater Tennant Creek area, transferring students across four routes, twice a day, to and from Tennant Creek Primary and Tennant Creek High School.
The Territory Government continues to recognise the educational needs of isolated families, and establish support mechanisms to overcome barriers faced here in the Territory.
Each year, the Territory Labor Government invests $22.77 into ensuring students get to school via a school bus service, and Tennant Creek will be the ninth region to receive this service.
An education is the single most important factor to ensuring a child succeeds in life, whatever that success may look like for each child.
The bus service fleet will consist of four new 30 seater buses, driven by six local drivers who are being offered a $1000 sign on bonus if qualified.
Quote attributable to Minister for Education, Eva Lawler:
“This is an important barrier broken down to ensure each child, no matter where they live, goes to school every day.
“Tennant Creek Primary and High School do an incredible job providing a high level of education to student’s from right across the Barkly region.
“As this is the first ever dedicated school bus service in Tennant Creek, we are confident we will see increases in student attendance and enrolments, whilst additionally creating more jobs and long term employment across the region.”
Quote attributable to NT COGSO President, Tabby Fudge:
“This announcement highlights the Minister’s dedication to helping our children and young adults attend school regularly.”
“Our children face unique geographical and social challenges, and the launch of Tennant Creek’s first dedicated school bus service is a significant step in breaking down these barriers.
“I extend my gratitude to Wayne Green, our NTCOGSO Barkly regional representative, who has been a steadfast advocate for this service, and we’re all thrilled to witness it become a reality.
Northern Territory Government
