Call for mandated school van supervision after 'preventable' death of disabled boy

12:19 pm today

An Auckland mother is calling for the government to mandate the presence of at least two adults in every school van.

Photo: supplied/Unspalsh

An Auckland mother is calling for better supervision on school transportation, following the death of young disabled boy after leaving a school van.

The boy, who attended a school for children with special needs, died last week.

Multiple investigations had been launched into the incident.

Auckland mother Kelsey Rondel had started a petition, calling for the government to mandate the presence of at least two adults - driver and an aide - in every school van transporting children.

Rondel said the boy's death had hit close to home as her eight-year-old daughter was autistic and non-verbal.

She said his death was a "preventable tragedy".

"This is every parent's worst nightmare... it just seems crazy to me because in the classroom you have about eight kids to four adults. So, I can't comprehend why there would only be one adult to six to eight kids [in these vans]."

Rondel said her main aim for the petition was to raise awareness.

"I would like to see some change. We can't leave things as they are. Kids' safety should be a priority,"

'Not appropriate to comment' - Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education's Acting Group General Manager of National Services and Programmes Andrea Williams said the incident was under investigation by police on behalf of the Coroner.

"It would not be appropriate to comment on the circumstances. While that process is underway, we continue to oversee these services in line with our safety requirements" she said.

Williams said the Ministry would consider the findings once the investigation was complete and any further action would be guided by those findings, alongside the Ministry's contractual and legal obligations.

"We understand the petition comes from a place of genuine concern following a tragic incident, and people want to ensure students are as safe as possible."

RNZ had previously reported on another mother's concerns about Ritchies school vans. She questioned if they were appropriate for wheelchair users.

Andrea Williams said that while the vehicles met NZTA passenger vehicle certification standards for wheelchair-accessible transport, Ritchies was continuing to work with the school in response to parents' concerns.

"Across the system, the Ministry requires all SESTA providers to meet legislative and contractual safety standards. We monitor performance, and work with schools and providers to resolve issues as they arise."

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