Schools told to ensure safety of children and adhere to guidelines on fee structure

The district administration has instructed private schools to ensure that their buses are in good condition and obtain fitness certificates, apart from appointing experienced drivers to operate the vehicles.

At a meeting with private school representatives held in Shivamogga on Thursday (June 11), Murugendra B. Shirolkar, Regional Transport Officer of Shivamogga, stated that over 710 school buses operate in the district, of which 80 had not renewed their permits and fitness certificates. He urged school authorities to ensure their buses obtain fresh fitness certificates in accordance with prescribed procedures to guarantee the safety of children.

He recommended that schools employ only experienced drivers to operate their buses. For buses ferrying female students, schools must ensure a female staff member accompanies them. Additionally, buses should be fitted with GPS to track their locations and CCTV cameras to ensure security.

K.V. Devaraj, motor vehicle inspector, stated that bus drivers must comply with traffic rules while on duty, stressing that every life is precious. Recently, officials conducted a special drive and found four drivers operating school buses while under the influence of alcohol. The department had recommended cancellation of their driving licences.

Warning

S.R. Manjunath, Deputy Director of Public Instructions, addressing school representatives, warned that the department would take action against schools charging more than the prescribed fee. “We have received numerous complaints from parents about schools imposing excessive charges,” he said, adding, “Under the guise of uniforms and bus services, schools are overcharging. School managements must display their fee structure and adhere to government guidelines.”

He said that schools must not discriminate against any child. If complaints were received about schools denying transfer certificates or penalising children for non-payment of fees through practices such as making them stand outside classrooms, the department would recommend legal action against those institutions.

Officers of the School Education Department and representatives of the private school management were present.