Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698136268578.pdf (South Africa)
NATIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION 348.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20/05/2022 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15/2022 348.

Mr I M Sileku (Western Cape: DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education: Distance to walk to school What is the longest distance a learner has to walk to get to school?

NATIONAL NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION 348.
Response The National Learner Transport Policy approved and published in 2015 by Cabinet, to guide the implementation and provide a uniform approach of learner transportation, also stipulates the qualifying criteria for beneficiaries of subsidized learner transport services as follows: Beneficiaries for subsidised learner transport must be a needy learner  from Grade R to Grade 12 as prescribed;  Learner transport will be to the nearest appropriate school.
Parental choice of school, must not be subsidised.
Parental choice refers to when parents prefer to enrol their children at schools other than the nearest suitable school;  Priority must be given to learners with disabilities, considering the nature of the disability as well as primary school’s learners who walk long distances to schools; and  The inclusion of a learner into the subsidized services scheme, must take into account existing learner transport services, and that no learner transport must be provided in areas where public transport is available to avoid duplication of services and resources The Provincial Policies are based on the Guidelines provided in this policy.
An analysis of Provincial policies indicates an average of 5 kms single trip walking distance threshold to the nearest appropriate school.