It is highly praiseworthy that the School Education Department has taken note of the safety of students travelling in school buses and issued necessary instructions to ensure that every child reaches school and returns home safely. Every morning and afternoon, the sight of long queues of yellow buses on the roads is a common one, but behind that familiar picture lies a great responsibility — the safety and security of thousands of children who depend on these vehicles daily. The recent circular issued by the Department directs all Heads of Institutions, both Government and Private, to ensure that every school bus engaged for student transportation is fully compliant with the rules prescribed by the Transport Department.
Although the instructions reportedly do not specifically mention the installation of CCTV cameras in school buses — which have been made mandatory for such vehicles — it is essential that the authorities ensure no bus is permitted to ferry children without them. Surveillance inside school buses plays a crucial role in monitoring the behaviour of both staff and students, and in ensuring swift action in case of any untoward incident. This measure is not merely a formality but a practical step towards strengthening student safety.
It is laudable that the authorities have prioritized this issue, as the safety of young children and school staff must always remain of paramount importance. Schools, for their part, should conduct regular awareness sessions for their drivers, conductors, and faculty members on traffic discipline, safe driving practices, and emergency response. Every driver and helper must be made aware that even a moment of negligence can have serious consequences.
However, the responsibility does not rest with schools alone. Law enforcement agencies, particularly the traffic police, must play a more active role in ensuring that school transport operates strictly within the legal framework. It would be beneficial if a dedicated team of officers in Jammu City is assigned to monitor school buses, conduct regular checks, and launch awareness drives. These measures will help in maintaining discipline among the school transport operators and prevent reckless driving.
The ultimate goal should be to ensure that drivers strictly adhere to the prescribed speed limits, maintain vehicle fitness, and operate only on approved routes. The awareness level among operators must be such that rash or negligent driving never becomes an option. The safety of school children is a shared responsibility, and every stakeholder must take these instructions seriously to make every school bus a true “safe zone.”
