To hell with safety on school buses
By Yogesh Avasthi & Zahid Qureshi | Dec 21, 2016, http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/to-hell-with-safety-on-school-buses/articleshow/56090514.cms
Last Friday 30 students of Tapovan School had a narrow
escape when their school bus suddenly caught fire. A fire official found
short-circuit as the primary cause of the fire. A major tragedy was averted,
but the incident caused panic among parents and raised questions about safety
of students in school buses. The Supreme Court has clearly set guidelines for
safety of students in school buses. However, a Mirror check of 11 school buses
along with traffic officials across the city revealed shocking details. Of the
11 drivers, only two had licences with them, while one was driving on a
Learner’s Licence that was created just three days ago. Nine buses did not have
fire extinguishers, one of the remaining two had expired four days ago and the
other was totally rusted. Nine buses had no first aid boxes, while one had an
antiseptic bottle that was empty and the other had few medicines. Only one of
the 11 buses had list of the students travelling in them.
Anand Niketan School
Satellite bus number 5
Driver: Rajesh Thakor
What we found
The driver was a 22-year-old who had just got his Learner’s Licence for LMV-Transport vehicle three days ago. The Supreme Court clearly specifies that the driver should have a valid licence for at least four years. No fire extinguisher or First Aid box was found by the traffic police. And the driver did not have the list of students he was ferrying.
School Says
We have found some things missing like First Aid box and fire extinguisher, but we will soon get them fitted in all our buses. We have all documents and ensure safety and security of students who travel in the school bus.
–Niranjan Pandya, Transport Manager
Hiramani School
Chharodi
Driver: Karamsi Rabari
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher or First Aid box in the bus, wires were dangling outside from the light above and there was no phone number at the back of the bus. Driver had licence to drive the vehicle.
School Says
I will make sure that norms are followed by the school bus administrator and replace whatever equipment are needed for the safety of the students.
–Narhari Amin, president, Hiramani School
Anand Niketan School,
Shilaj
Bus number 10,
DRIVER: Bhikhuji Thakor
What we found
The driver did not carry a licence. He claimed it was with the school authority. There was no fire safety equipment nor any First Aid box. He did not have list of students who he ferried daily.
SCHOOL SAYS
On checking we have found some things missing like First Aid box and fire extinguisher, but we will soon get them fitted in all our buses.
–Niranjan Pandya, Transport Manager, Anand Niketan School
DAV Kids,
Vejalpur
Bus number not clearly mentioned
DRIVER: Zafar Shaikh
What we found
Driver did not have a licence, but claimed that he was not carrying it. There was no school name and the front indicators were damaged. There was no fire extinguisher or First Aid kit and an open wire in the bus.
SCHOOL SAYS
We are grateful for this check on safety. We will ensure all the necessary things are installed in the bus soon and there will be no complaint on safety.
–Ankit Shah, transport manager of DAV school
Euro Kids, bus number 14
DRIVER: Shankar Rathod
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher. The First Aid box was not wellmaintained. There was no mention of the school number at the back of the bus.
SCHOOL SAYS
We are thankful for highlighting the safety of the students. We will definitely take up the issues with the bus contractor and ensure all norms are being followed in future.
–Sajid Bootawala, Administrator of EURO kids school, Hebatpur
Amrita Vidyalayam
Ghatlodia
DRIVER: Gopal Dharangya
What we found
Driver of the bus had licence, but the First Aid box was empty, the fire extinguisher was not refilled despite the day having expired four days ago. The driver did not have list of students who ferrying daily.
SCHOOL SAYS
There was a problem with refilling company regarding the fire extinguisher. All buses will be well-equipped with fire safety and First Aid boxes.
–Gopinath Pillai,office superintendent Amrita Vidyalam
New Tulip International School
Bus number 28, DRIVER: Vivek Thakor
What we found
‘School bus’ was not mentioned in any side of the bus. The backlight was damaged. There was no fire extinguisher or First Aid kid and no list of students was found with the driver.
SCHOOL SAYS
At present we have picnic days, so we have to accommodate school buses for it. So, spare buses are used to transport students. Soon we will equip buses with CCTV camera and safety equipment.
–Yogesh Shridhar, managing trustee, New Tulip International School
Delhi Public School
Bus number 2, DRIVER: Rohit Patel
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher, but First Aid kit was present. Bus was well-painted and school bus mentioned on all four sides. Moreover, on the rear notice was put up for speeding and number of school mentioned.
SCHOOL SAYS
The management adheres to the rules and regulations. We have weekly checklist of equipment and safety measures like medical kit, fire extinguisher. Kids are escorted and supervised by in-charges.
–Surender Sachdeva, Principal, Delhi Public School
Nirma Vidyavihar
Number of the school not mentioned DRIVER: Chetan Thakor
What we found
No fire extinguisher in the bus and even number of the school was not mentioned behind the vehicle. Moreover, there was no First Aid box and the driver admitted that he did not carry his licence with him and it was at the school.
SCHOOL SAYS
We came to know about certain norms during checking and we will ensure that we will correct it. We will soon provide uniform to the drivers as per the Supreme Court guidelines.
–Sailesh Patel, transport manager of Nirma Vidyavihar
Anand Niketan, Jois
School bus number 4 DRIVER: Amit Rabari
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher. The First Aid box was present, but all it had was an empty bottle of antiseptic liquid and some cotton. The sidelight of the bus was damaged.
SCHOOL SAYS
On checking we have found some things missing like First Aid box and fire extinguisher, but we will soon get them fitted in all our buses. We usually have all documents with us and ensure safety and security of students who travel in the school bus.
–Niranjan Pandya, Transport Manager, Anand Niketan School
Sattva Vikas
School bus number 6, DRIVER: Rasik Parmar
What we found
The First Aid box was just for namesake, with no medicine inside. The fire extinguisher was totally rusted and it took a lot of effort to pull it out. The name of school and phone number was not clearly mentioned on the back of vehicle. Driver did not have a licence on him.
SCHOOL SAYS
As soon as our bus driver informed as about fire extinguisher and First Aid box, we immediately replaced it. We always prefer safety first for the students of our schools and maintain rule of law.
–Raja Pathak, Trustee, Sattva Vikas School
SC guidelines for school buses
1 ‘School Bus’ must be written on the back and front of the bus.
2 If it is hired bus, ‘On School Duty’ should be clearly indicated.
3 Bus must have a First Aid box.
4 The windows of bus must be fitted with horizontal grills.
5 There must be a fire extinguisher in the bus.
6 School name and telephone number must be written on the bus.
7 The doors of the bus should be fitted with reliable locks.
8 To keep school bags safely, there should be a space – fitted under the seats.
9 There must be an attendant from the school in the bus.
10 School cabs should be fitted with speed governors with maximum speed limit of 40 kph.
11 The body of school bus shall be highway yellow colour with a horizontal strip in green of 150mm width in the middle all around the vehicle and the words ‘School Cab’ must be prominently displayed on all four sides of the vehicle.
12 If age of school children is below 12 years, the number of children shall not exceed 1/1.2 times the permitted seating capacity.
13 Children above 12 years shall be treated as one person.
14 The driver of a school cab must have valid licence to drive LMV-Transport Vehicles for a period of at least four years and compulsorily wear a light blue shirt, light blue trousers and black shoes. His name ID should be displayed on the shirt.
15 There must be enough space provided to keep school bags inside the vehicle and the bags should not be hung outside the vehicle or placed on roof carriers.
16 The bus driver must carry a complete list of the children being ferried in the school cab, indicating the name, class, residential address, blood group and the points of stoppage, route, plan etc.
17 In case of kindergarten, if an authorised person recognised mutually by the school and parents, does not come to pick the child from the halting points and such, the child shall be taken back to the school and their parents should be called.
Anand Niketan School
Satellite bus number 5
Driver: Rajesh Thakor
What we found
The driver was a 22-year-old who had just got his Learner’s Licence for LMV-Transport vehicle three days ago. The Supreme Court clearly specifies that the driver should have a valid licence for at least four years. No fire extinguisher or First Aid box was found by the traffic police. And the driver did not have the list of students he was ferrying.
School Says
We have found some things missing like First Aid box and fire extinguisher, but we will soon get them fitted in all our buses. We have all documents and ensure safety and security of students who travel in the school bus.
–Niranjan Pandya, Transport Manager
Hiramani School
Chharodi
Driver: Karamsi Rabari
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher or First Aid box in the bus, wires were dangling outside from the light above and there was no phone number at the back of the bus. Driver had licence to drive the vehicle.
School Says
I will make sure that norms are followed by the school bus administrator and replace whatever equipment are needed for the safety of the students.
–Narhari Amin, president, Hiramani School
Anand Niketan School,
Shilaj
Bus number 10,
DRIVER: Bhikhuji Thakor
What we found
The driver did not carry a licence. He claimed it was with the school authority. There was no fire safety equipment nor any First Aid box. He did not have list of students who he ferried daily.
SCHOOL SAYS
On checking we have found some things missing like First Aid box and fire extinguisher, but we will soon get them fitted in all our buses.
–Niranjan Pandya, Transport Manager, Anand Niketan School
DAV Kids,
Vejalpur
Bus number not clearly mentioned
DRIVER: Zafar Shaikh
What we found
Driver did not have a licence, but claimed that he was not carrying it. There was no school name and the front indicators were damaged. There was no fire extinguisher or First Aid kit and an open wire in the bus.
SCHOOL SAYS
We are grateful for this check on safety. We will ensure all the necessary things are installed in the bus soon and there will be no complaint on safety.
–Ankit Shah, transport manager of DAV school
Euro Kids, bus number 14
DRIVER: Shankar Rathod
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher. The First Aid box was not wellmaintained. There was no mention of the school number at the back of the bus.
SCHOOL SAYS
We are thankful for highlighting the safety of the students. We will definitely take up the issues with the bus contractor and ensure all norms are being followed in future.
–Sajid Bootawala, Administrator of EURO kids school, Hebatpur
Amrita Vidyalayam
Ghatlodia
DRIVER: Gopal Dharangya
What we found
Driver of the bus had licence, but the First Aid box was empty, the fire extinguisher was not refilled despite the day having expired four days ago. The driver did not have list of students who ferrying daily.
SCHOOL SAYS
There was a problem with refilling company regarding the fire extinguisher. All buses will be well-equipped with fire safety and First Aid boxes.
–Gopinath Pillai,office superintendent Amrita Vidyalam
New Tulip International School
Bus number 28, DRIVER: Vivek Thakor
What we found
‘School bus’ was not mentioned in any side of the bus. The backlight was damaged. There was no fire extinguisher or First Aid kid and no list of students was found with the driver.
SCHOOL SAYS
At present we have picnic days, so we have to accommodate school buses for it. So, spare buses are used to transport students. Soon we will equip buses with CCTV camera and safety equipment.
–Yogesh Shridhar, managing trustee, New Tulip International School
Delhi Public School
Bus number 2, DRIVER: Rohit Patel
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher, but First Aid kit was present. Bus was well-painted and school bus mentioned on all four sides. Moreover, on the rear notice was put up for speeding and number of school mentioned.
SCHOOL SAYS
The management adheres to the rules and regulations. We have weekly checklist of equipment and safety measures like medical kit, fire extinguisher. Kids are escorted and supervised by in-charges.
–Surender Sachdeva, Principal, Delhi Public School
Nirma Vidyavihar
Number of the school not mentioned DRIVER: Chetan Thakor
What we found
No fire extinguisher in the bus and even number of the school was not mentioned behind the vehicle. Moreover, there was no First Aid box and the driver admitted that he did not carry his licence with him and it was at the school.
SCHOOL SAYS
We came to know about certain norms during checking and we will ensure that we will correct it. We will soon provide uniform to the drivers as per the Supreme Court guidelines.
–Sailesh Patel, transport manager of Nirma Vidyavihar
Anand Niketan, Jois
School bus number 4 DRIVER: Amit Rabari
What we found
There was no fire extinguisher. The First Aid box was present, but all it had was an empty bottle of antiseptic liquid and some cotton. The sidelight of the bus was damaged.
SCHOOL SAYS
On checking we have found some things missing like First Aid box and fire extinguisher, but we will soon get them fitted in all our buses. We usually have all documents with us and ensure safety and security of students who travel in the school bus.
–Niranjan Pandya, Transport Manager, Anand Niketan School
Sattva Vikas
School bus number 6, DRIVER: Rasik Parmar
What we found
The First Aid box was just for namesake, with no medicine inside. The fire extinguisher was totally rusted and it took a lot of effort to pull it out. The name of school and phone number was not clearly mentioned on the back of vehicle. Driver did not have a licence on him.
SCHOOL SAYS
As soon as our bus driver informed as about fire extinguisher and First Aid box, we immediately replaced it. We always prefer safety first for the students of our schools and maintain rule of law.
–Raja Pathak, Trustee, Sattva Vikas School
SC guidelines for school buses
1 ‘School Bus’ must be written on the back and front of the bus.
2 If it is hired bus, ‘On School Duty’ should be clearly indicated.
3 Bus must have a First Aid box.
4 The windows of bus must be fitted with horizontal grills.
5 There must be a fire extinguisher in the bus.
6 School name and telephone number must be written on the bus.
7 The doors of the bus should be fitted with reliable locks.
8 To keep school bags safely, there should be a space – fitted under the seats.
9 There must be an attendant from the school in the bus.
10 School cabs should be fitted with speed governors with maximum speed limit of 40 kph.
11 The body of school bus shall be highway yellow colour with a horizontal strip in green of 150mm width in the middle all around the vehicle and the words ‘School Cab’ must be prominently displayed on all four sides of the vehicle.
12 If age of school children is below 12 years, the number of children shall not exceed 1/1.2 times the permitted seating capacity.
13 Children above 12 years shall be treated as one person.
14 The driver of a school cab must have valid licence to drive LMV-Transport Vehicles for a period of at least four years and compulsorily wear a light blue shirt, light blue trousers and black shoes. His name ID should be displayed on the shirt.
15 There must be enough space provided to keep school bags inside the vehicle and the bags should not be hung outside the vehicle or placed on roof carriers.
16 The bus driver must carry a complete list of the children being ferried in the school cab, indicating the name, class, residential address, blood group and the points of stoppage, route, plan etc.
17 In case of kindergarten, if an authorised person recognised mutually by the school and parents, does not come to pick the child from the halting points and such, the child shall be taken back to the school and their parents should be called.
