“The ministry has been prompted to make a Kingdomwide study by the success of the experiment of transportation of girls students. The ministry wants a solution to the difficulties faced by women commuters,” a source at the ministry said.

A major problem currently faced by women teachers is that they could not be accommodated in schools in the cities where they live. Many of them, who are married with children, work in towns three or four hours away from their homes. Many of them have fallen victim to traffic accidents or irresponsible conduct by drivers.

The source said the ministry has tasked a consultancy agency to prepare a database for the transport project. The agency will study and evaluate the current mode of transport the teachers use. The study will also examine how the problem is handled in other countries.

The source said the task of transporting women teachers would be entrusted to the private sector.

The study, to be made in three phases, will be completed in eight months. Officials expect to implement the project from next academic year.

The study will cover factors such as the length of time a teacher will wait for the bus, maximum speed allowed and age of vehicles used for the purpose.

The study will also estimate the number of teachers who will require the service, future demand, growth of population in towns where the service is required and geographical features of the regions to be covered under the service.