It is time the concerned authorities looked into school bus services offered by schools across the country.

It shouldn't take them too long to establish that most of these "school buses" are, in fact, dalaladas hired by schools seeking to keep operating costs to a minimum.

Speeding buses carrying children are now a common sight during rush hour in Dar es Salaam and other major towns. The answer as to why these daladalas-cum-school buses are always in a hurry when ferrying children to and from school is simple - the crew have to undertake this side business as quickly as possible before getting back to their daladala routine.

We all know that most daladala drivers are not qualified to drive any vehicle, let alone buses carrying schoolchildren and entrusting the lives of our children to them is unacceptable.

The ministries of Education and Vocational Training and Home Affairs should perhaps come up with clear guidelines regarding transport services for schoolchildren.