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National News: In a major step to enhance the safety of school children, the Punjab government is set to make significant amendments to the existing school transport policy. So far, only school principals were held accountable for vehicle-related accidents involving students. However, under the new policy, school management committees will also be made equally responsible. The aim is to ensure a more accountable, transparent, and safer school transport system across the state.
According to the proposed changes, even if a school vehicle is privately booked by parents and an accident occurs, the responsibility will lie not only with the school principal but also with the school management committee. Furthermore, the policy proposes implementing one-way traffic systems near schools during pick-up and drop-off hours to reduce congestion and prevent road accidents.
The existing Safe School Vehicle Policy, implemented in 2013 in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh following a High Court directive, currently places sole accountability on the school principal. However, recent tragic incidents have highlighted serious flaws in the existing policy, prompting the government to initiate amendments.
A recent horrific accident on Patiala–Samana Road claimed the lives of seven schoolchildren when a privately booked Innova car collided with a speeding tipper truck. The vehicle, meant for 7 students, was carrying 14. Investigations revealed that the tipper driver was a minor and unlicensed. This heartbreaking incident compelled both the Punjab State Government and the Child Rights Protection Commission to re-evaluate current safety policies for school transportation.
The Punjab Child Rights Protection Commission has emphasized that the responsibility of overseeing vehicle fitness, driver eligibility, and prevention of overloading must not rest solely on principals. The school management committee must also be held accountable—whether the vehicle is owned by the school or privately contracted. The safety of students, the commission insists, should be the school administration’s top priority.
To review and revise the policy, the Transport Department has constituted an eight-member committee. This panel includes representatives from the Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs) of Chandigarh, Patiala, and Jalandhar, along with officials from the Education, Health, Police, and Road Safety Departments. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within a month.
Additional State Transport Commissioner Sukhvindra Kumar stated that the recommendations from the Child Rights Commission are under serious consideration. A draft of the revised Safe School Transport Policy will be finalized soon. He reaffirmed that the government's top priority is student safety, and every possible step will be taken to prevent future tragedies.
Commission Chairman Kanwardeep Singh and Deputy Director Rajvindra Singh Gill acknowledged that the 2013 policy failed to assign responsibility to school management committees, despite the fact that decisions regarding hiring or switching vehicles fall under their authority. This gap, they said, has often led to inappropriate vehicles and unqualified drivers being involved in school transport operations—putting young lives at risk.
If implemented effectively, the new policy could mark a revolutionary shift in school transport governance in Punjab. It promises to enhance child safety, reduce school bus accidents, and ensure greater accountability and transparency within educational institutions.
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