Unsafe transportation: Panels formed for inspection of private schools
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service
Jammu, April 21
Taking a serious note of alleged reports regarding unsafe transportation, boarding/ alighting arrangements by private schools for its students, the Directorate of School Education (DSE), Jammu, has recently issued instructions to constitute a committee comprising Principal, Higher Secondary School (cluster in charge), Zonal Education Officer (ZEO)/Zonal Education Planning Officer for conducting inspections of private schools of their clusters.
Sources said the committees had been constituted by the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of districts of the Jammu Division and they had to ensure that the inspection was conducted within the stipulated time and submit the inspection report with their specific comments/recommendations.
The sources added that in Jammu district, the CEO, Jammu, had constituted a committee, which had been entrusted with the task of conducting inspection of educational institutions in all 16 zones.
“Jammu in the recent past has witnessed mushrooming of private schools in every nook and corner. These schools are charging high fees from the parents claiming that they are imparting quality education and providing better transport facilities to students. But the reality is entirely different,” said Jugal, a parent.
“It is a routine sight to see school buses being fully loaded with students, despite clear instructions from the Supreme Court. There is open violation of rules putting the lives of children at risk,” he added.
The sources said some of the private schools having large enrolment of students lacked space to park the buses. The inspection team would look into the priority of the school management in every aspect concerning the safety of students. At least two representatives of parents would also be part of the inspection team.
The CEO, Jammu, JK Sudan told The Tribune that the committee was on the job to inspect the educational institutions. “Yes, the committee is visiting private schools for inspecting whether elaborate arrangements have been put in place for the safety of students of not,” the CEO said.
The CEO also admitted that there were many private schools in the city that did not have adequate space to park their buses and were also indulged in overloading of students.
