Schools yet to learn a lesson

Harinder Singh Khaira

Patiala, May 20

Despite instructions to ensure safe transportation for schoolchildren, schools in the district are regularly flouting the norms set by the government in this regard.

During a number of inspections conducted by the district administrative in the past, only a small number of school vans were found having proper documents and facilities enlisted in the Safe School Vahan Policy. Notably, a number of fatal accidents have been reported in the district, involving vehicles ferrying schoolchildren.

On Thursday, the district administration had organised a seminar for representatives of several schools to make them aware of the norms under the Safe School Vahan Policy. The event was organised after the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kumar Amit directed the schools to strictly comply with the regulations and said school principals were responsible for the transportation of students.

Moreover, due to a shortage of parking space, vehicles of the schools can be seen parked haphazardly, interrupting the movement of the traffic.

“At the closing time of the schools, it is not easy to cross the road outside the schools due to the congestion and mismanagement on the past of the schools and the administration. Due to the pressure of private schools, the traffic police are also not doing much regarding wrongly-parked vehicles," said Jaswinder Singh, a commuter.   

Mishap cases 

• On March 21, a school van of local Ryan International School hit an Aman Nagar resident, resulting in his death. Harinder Singh, who was a welder at Darshan Nagar, was on his bicycle when the incident took place. He was rushed to the local Rajindra Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The unidentified driver of the bus fled from the spot, along with the vehicle.
• In another case on March 8, a four-year-old boy was mowed down by a school bus outside SM International School, Patiala. As per information, the bus was being driven by the conductor as the driver was on leave and there was no attendant in the bus in direct violation of the norms. The student, Prabhjot Singh, was crushed as he got down from the bus.