School Transport Allowance 2025: Parents and guardians in South Africa have a reason to celebrate because the government has declared the School Transport Allowance for 2025, which will be a monthly benefit of R870 for learners traveling long distances to school.
So, the Department of Basic Education makes it clear that they will not stop until every child has access to education.
R870 Per Month Allowance – Who Are The Winners?
The R870 allowance is intended mainly for the learners who are coming from the low-income families who rely on the daily school transport services. Many families, especially those living in rural or semi-urban areas, spend a large portion of their budget on transportation due to their location. The government through the allowance intends to ease the burden and ensure children get to school regularly and safely.
Learners Who Can Claim The Subsidy Must:
- Be enrolled in a public school
- Live at a distance from the school (this varies by province)
- Belong to a financially vulnerable household
- Have no access to safe or reliable transport
The provincial education departments will handle the applications and the verification process, so that only the most deserving students will receive the benefit.
Why The Allowance Matters In 2025
As a result of the increasing living costs, higher fuel prices, and rising transport charges in all provinces, a lot of parents have found it difficult to manage the daily transportation fees for their children. The monthly R870 support is expected to:
- Cut down absenteeism.
- Increase punctuality.
- Make traveling learners safer.
- Free up some financial burden from paying families.
Education specialists are of the view that very important transport assistance influences a great deal the decision of the learners to stay in school and the accelerated rates of dropout, especially in the rural areas.
What Is The Procedure For Applying For The 2025 School Transport Allowance
In 2025, the applications for the School Transport Allowance will be accepted through local school offices and provincial education departments. Parents will regularly be required to submit:
- An authenticated copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Documentation of where you live
- Admission papers from the school
- A statement of the family’s income
- Any other papers that can prove financial hardship
When the R870 allowance is granted, the payment will either go straight to the transport provider or be handled by the school, dependent on the procedures of the province.
Also Read: December 2025 R350 Grant: SASSA Confirms Payment Dates And What You Must Know