Bengaluru: With the schools set to reopen soon, Primary Education Department has asked the Transport Department to carry out safety checks on buses and other vehicles belonging to private schools across the city.
The Block Education Officers (BEO) will also check the vehicles along with the transport department officials. Any institution found flouting norms will have to face action.
A senior officer from the Primary Education Department said, “We have been strict about the safety norms for vehicles. They should have CCTV cameras, GPS and a women staff. The schools should also carry out background verification of drivers. Our priority is to ensure safety of every child.”
The Transport Department officials have already begun random checks on school buses. One of the officer said, “If any vehicle is found not following the safety measures, we are issuing a notice to the school. If they fail to act within a week, then the vehicle will be seized.”
The Primary Education Department has also urged the parents to avoid sending their children to schools in private auto rickshaws or vans, and make use of the school owned transport facility.
“Parents go for cheaper option by arranging private vehicles to pick and drop their children, which is not safe. The school owned vehicles are safer, as they are being monitored,” the officer said.
When contacted, Primary Education Department Director Jayakumar said, “We have already asked the transport department to carry out surprise checks. The BEOs across the city have also been directed to check the vehicles and ensure that women staff is assigned to these vehicles. If there are irregularities, the transport department will take action.”
