Heist-op-den-Berg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Institut Mevrouw Govaerts in Heist-op-den-Berg won a battery recycling competition, earning a trip to Plopsaland for 40 students and six supervisors. However, they face challenges securing affordable transportation for the May 13 trip due to high bus costs, impacting vulnerable families.
The Institut Mevrouw Govaerts, a special education school in Heist-op-den-Berg, is very happy. They won a big competition from Bebat, the battery recycling group in Belgium. The school joined a campaign to collect used batteries. Students and teachers worked hard for weeks.
They brought batteries from home and asked family and neighbours for help. They mentioned that their efforts made their school a centre for battery recycling. In the end, they won the competition. Authorities mentioned that a small school can do great things together. Winning highlights their commitment to the environment and teamwork.
Will Institut Mevrouw Govaerts find a bus for the Plopsaland trip?
The school won a special trip to Plopsaland De Panne, a popular amusement park in Belgium. This trip is for 40 students and six supervisors. Authorities mentioned that they will enjoy a day filled with exciting rides, fun shows, and favourite characters like Samson & Gert, Maya the Bee, and Kabouter Plop.
The Institut Mevrouw Govaerts is facing a problem after winning the Bebat competition. The school was excited to win a free trip to Plopsaland De Panne for 40 students and six supervisors. However, they cannot find a bus to take them there.
All the winning schools will go to the amusement park on May 13, 2025. The teachers have called many bus companies, but they have not found any help. The staff is trying hard to find a solution. They want to secure a bus that can fit everyone.
According to authorities, a week ago, there was some hope when a bus company said they could provide a bus for the trip. However, the cost was very high at €1,000. For a school that helps many families in need, this price is too much to pay.
If they booked the bus, each child would have to pay €25. This amount is too much for many students to afford. A teacher explained that it would be unfair to ask parents for this money. They see many families struggle with basic needs. Now, the school is in a difficult situation and is looking for another way to make sure all the students can enjoy their trip.
The winning schools are all welcome in the amusement park on May 13. Only we can’t find a bus that can take us that day. We have called all the bus companies in the area but without result.
Authorities say.
After looking for different ways to get to Plopsaland De Panne, the Institut Mevrouw Govaerts found that public transport would not work. Teacher Sofie said the trip would take about four hours. This is too long and tiring for the students. The school has tried hard to find a bus, but they are now in a difficult situation.
We work with vulnerable families and therefore cannot charge too much for extra excursions.
Sofie Dekeersmaeker, teacher at the Mrs. Govaerts Institute in Heist-Op-Den-Berg.
The trip is planned for May 13, 2025, and they still do not have transportation. Despite their efforts, none of the options have worked. Authorities mentioned that the excitement of winning the Bebat competition is now at risk because of this transport issue.
