NCPCR urges states, UTs to conduct safety audits of school transportation, infrastructure

NEW DELHI: In two separate letters to the chief secretaries of all states and administrators of Union Territories, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has shown concern towards recent incidents of collapsing of walls and death of students on school transport in different states and requested all states, UTs to conduct safety audits of schools and school transportation as schools reopen across the country.

“Attention is invited to the recent incidents related to the safety of school children occured recently in different states. The incidents are primarily linked to the school infrastructure such as collapsing boundary walls and also death of students on school transport,” NCPCR said in an official letter.

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The Commission observed that due to COVID-19 pandemic and irregularity of opening of schools, the focus of school authorities and management has drifted away from the safety and security of children in terms of school infrastructure and transport. “Also, the sensitization and orientation of school staff including the non-teaching staff has taken a back seat in a while,” it said in one of the letters.

Safety guidelines for schools

NCPCR reminded the states, UTs that besides COVID-19 protocols and norms there are some comprehensive guidelines including steps to be taken by school authorities to ensure that children learn in a safe environment.

The guidelines include a manual on safety and security of children in schools, the Supreme Court’s guidelines for school transportation following which the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also issued a circular in 2017 on safety of school children in school bus, and guidelines on school safety and security by the Department of School Education and Literacy.

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“To prevent untoward incidents where safety and security of children is compromised due to negligence of school authorities and inability to take timely action, it is important that timely action be taken,” NCPCR added and urged all states to conduct audits of schools, school transportation including buses, autos, mini-vans or any other vehicle. The Commission also asked for a compliance report by May 31, 2022.

Recently, a 10-year-old Class 3 student died after his head allegedly hit an electricity pole while peeping out of a window of his school bus, police said. In another incident, a four-year-old boy was run over allegedly by a school van when he was getting down from the vehicle, police said.