We are residents from the Rongotea community affected by the Ministry of Education's proposed changes regarding the termination of secondary school bus services on approximately ten routes in the Palmerston North/Manawatu area. This service, invaluable to our growing community, is on the verge of being lost. In Rongotea, many have relied on this service for several generations as our local school only offers up to year 8, making the secondary school bus service imperative for continuous learning.

The proposed changes threaten our children's freedom of school choice and could potentially increase truancy rates - a problem that the Ministry of Education is trying to alleviate. By denying access to much-needed transport, we risk deterring student's engagement in education, disrupting their routine and thrusting undue hardship on families.

This detrimental change would set a worrying precedent, not just for our community, but for other growing communities outside of Palmerston North. We urge the Ministry of Education to reconsider their proposal, to ensure that our children have access to quality education without boundaries.

Join our cause and protect our students' right to a choice in education. Sign this petition to stop the discontinuation of essential school bus services in our area.