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 New Govt Policy Proposes Stringent Safety Measures To Minimise Accidents, Puts Onus Of Implementation On Schools
Schools in general, and their principals in particular, will be responsible for the safety of students on school buses, says the state government’s draft policy on the subject. Jolted into action by a spurt in fatal accidents and other incidents involving school buses across the state in the last few years, the government had set up a committee to suggest changes to the callous manner in which school buses are operated. The panel’s recommendations, incorporated into the policy draft, have now received the nod of transport minister. The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules and Regulation, 2010, the first of its kind across the country for the safety of school children, proposes to set up a district school bus safety committee for each district under the chairmanship of the commissioner of police or the district superintendent of police. The committee will meet at least once in six months to review and monitor issues relating to safety of transportation of school children.
Once the cabinet gives its nod, the norms will come into effect in the current academic session, by June. “I am sure once the new rules come into force, children will have a safe journey between home and school. Of course, we need the co-operation of students, parents and heads of educational institutions,’’ the minister said. “Our new rules are the outcome of prolonged deliberations with users and service providers,’’ said the minister who had visited major accident spots, particularly in the Navi-Mumbai-Panvel belt, and also had marathon meeting with bus operators and school managements.
The major highlights of the new policy are
FROM JUNE
Principals will be responsible for the safety of students on school buses
Granting complete exemption from payment of passenger tax to buses used to transport school children. The tax is around Rs 5000 per seat per year.
Each school will have a transport committee headed by the principal to look into matters pertaining of safety, transportation fees,(it will be decided by the transport operator and parent teachers association. “We expect it will be kept to a minimum, as we propose to exempt operators from paying tax” said a transport official) identification of bus stops and verify documents of vehicles
Restricting age of vehicles to 8 years in Mumbai and 15 years in rest of Maharashtra;
All school buses to be of yellow colour with the words ‘School Bus’ prominently displayed;
The lowest footboard shall not be higher than 220 mtrs from the ground and all steps fitted with non-slip treads;
Vehicles to have a first aid box, fire extinguisher, attendant and emergency exit;
Steps at the front door should have hand-rails;
The vehicles should have a speed governor to ensure the speed does not exceed 40 kms/hr;
The buses should carry a list of students along with their blood group and residential addresses;
The driver should have a minimum experience of five years;
Autorickshaws used to transport school children will be phased out in three years.
Schools should also employ adequate traffic wardens in consultation with the traffic police;
Ensure the driver is medically fit;
A lady attendant assists children when boarding and alighting from the buses;
A school bus safety committee to be set up for each district under the police commissioner or district superintendent of police. It will meet atleast once in six months
In the absence of authorised persons to receive KG students at bus stops, they will be taken back to school and their parents will be called to fetch them from school
Ensure no eatables or drinks are offered to children on the bus by staff unless provided by the school.
It will not be fitted with any pressure horn;
There should be provision for bag racks;
Every bus will have a board to identify the school and the route number.
Most important, the transport commissioner will have the responsibility of approving the school buses.
The transporter must inform the school about any changes to the bus service at the time of bands\traffic jams, accidents, breakdowns, road blockages immediately and that school authorities must ensure that the contractor has adequate alternative arrangement in case of any exigencies.
NO PARKING FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES
There will be a complete ban on parking of private vehicles within a distance of 200 mtrs of the main entrance of the school. The regional transport authority will specify the parking and halting places at appropriate locations for school buses. Parents Happy With Govt Proposal
Even as the state government proposes to make the buck for school bus safety rest with school principals, the move by a school in Nerul to absolve itself of all responsibility has parents in the city incensed, and schools and bus operators divided.
Parents protested outside the gates of Delhi Public School, Nerul, upset over a circular they were asked to sign absolving the school of responsibility if the school bus had an accident. “The worst part is that this circular was sent through the students and the school didn’t even bother to contact us through the PTA before sending it,’’ said one parent. “Of course if there is an unforeseen circumstance, we can’t blame the school. But the management is simply trying to wash its hands of their responsibility,’’ said an angry parent. However, the principal and the school management refused to comment.
Most principals and educationists condemned the move. While all agreed no one could be blamed for unforeseen circumstances, they added safety of students was a responsibility the school must share. “Parents and students are an inseparable unit of the school and the child’s safety is the school’s responsibility too. Even if the school doesn’t own the buses, they should at least share the onus of ensuring safe transport and good drivers to the students,’’ said Fr Francis Swamy, principal of Holy Family High School, Andheri (E). Carl Laurie, principal of the Christ Church High School, Byculla, said, “Every school ensures as much safety for their students as they can provide. There are certain circumstances that are beyond our control and obviously the school can’t be blamed for that. But it is ultimately the school’s responsibility to provide safe vehicles and drivers to the students.’’ Agreed Revathi Ramkrishna, principal of New Horizon Public School, Airoli, “If the school has asked the parents to send their children in school buses, then naturally it is responsible for the safety of the child.’’ Lalitha Hariharan, Principal of Rizvi Springfield, Bandra added, “Though some circumstances can’t be avoided, the school, especially the principal, should take moral responsibility for ensuring protection to students.”
Not all agreed. “No school management will take the responsibility of ensuring student safety when they are outside the school. This is also mentioned in the school calendars that students carry. Parents should stop blaming schools and bus contractors for everything and understand their children are their responsibility,’’ said Anil Garg, president, School Bus Owners Association.
However June Amanna, principal of Universal High School, Thane, pointed out, “The child is the school’s responsibility till he/she reaches home. One can of course not assure safety from everything, but the school cannot absolve itself of child safety.’’
Says Indrani Malkani, the brain behind the model school bus proposal drafted in 2002: “A school can definitely not be held responsible for accidents due to unforeseen circumstances but the management cannot wash it’s hands of its responsibility to ensure there has been no deficiency of services,’’ she said.
Most parents agreed their children were the responsibility of the school. Said Sucheta Rastogi, a parent, “We send our children to school on the assurance they will be safe. Bus contractors or drivers will not bother about our children, therefore, the least the school management can do is to ensure proper guidelines are followed to bring our children to school and home safely.’’ Prashanth Shetty, another parent, welcomed the new draft policy adding, “Teachers too should be held responsible as they travel in the school buses. The new system is very interesting but bus fees should be discussed with parents first.’’
“We don’t hire the bus contractors for our children, the school does. So it is their responsibility to ensure drivers have a clear record and vehicles meet safety standards,’’ said Sangeeta Bhansali, whose children are in Cathedral and John Connon, the first school to implement the Model School Bus System. “This system has made routes convenient and ensured safety of students,’’ she added
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