Doda: Private Schools plying buses asked to follow SC Guidelines

DODA, MARCH 04: The Education Department has asked the Managements of Private Schools to ply their School Buses in accordance with the Guidelines issues by the Supreme Court of India.   

In this regard, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Parkash Lal Thapa today convened a virtual meeting of Heads of All the Private Schools who ply School vehicles in the District.

The meeting was held to enforce the follow-up of Supreme Court guidelines for school buses as Sr. Superintendent of Police Traffic NHW Ramban, in his office communication, CS/TPO/NHW/cir/10/24/340-55, Dated 02/03/2024, has observed that most of the Private Institutions in the District have not implemented the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of India.

CEO Doda impressed upon all the HOIs of Pvt. Institutions in the District to follow the Supreme Court guidelines in letter and spirit.

School Buses should be printed yellow, School Bus must be written on the back and front of the bus. If it is hired, the bus ” On School Duty” should be clearly indicated. Bus should have a First Aid Box, be fitted with a speed governor of specified standard. Windows of Bus should be fitted with horizontal frills. There should be a fire extinguisher in the bus. School Name and telephone Number must be written on the Bus. The doors of the Bus should be fitted with reliable locks. To keep the school bags safely, there should be a space fitted under the seats. There must be a qualified attendant in the bus to attend to children. Any parent or guardian sitting in the bus or a teacher may also travel to ensure these safety norms. The driver should have at least 05 years of experience of driving heavy vehicles. A driver who has been Challaned (fined) more than twice in a year for offenses like red light jumping, violation of lane Discipline of allowing unauthorized person to drive cannot be employed and a driver who has been Challaned (fined) even once for the offence of over speeding, drunken driving and dangerous driving etc. cannot be employed.

Any non compliance will invite action, the responsibility of which will rest on the management of defaulting institutions.