Despite a directive issued over year ago for enhanced safety measures in school buses,many educational institutions have yet to comply,raising alarms among parents and safety advocates . The mandate,which called for installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and GPS tracking systems,has seen uneven implementation across the district as schools resumed for the new academic year two weeks ago.
Authorities from the Motor Vehicles Department, police,and Education Department had expected schools to complete the necessary upgrades within a set timeframe. However,progress has been minimal. Parents report that numerous schools have shown little interest in adhering to these safety directives,with many failing to initiate procurement processes or engage in meaningful discussions about installation of the required systems .
The delay has attracted significant criticism,particularly since some schools had previously increased transportation fees,claiming these funds would be used to enhance safety infrastructure. Parents express frustration over what they perceive as negligence by school authorities, despite repeated reminders from the Education Department regarding the importance of student safety.
School officials cite various challenges as obstacles to compliance. Financial constraints and logistical issues are often mentioned,with some managements arguing that installing the systems would necessitate temporarily removing buses from service,disrupting transportation schedules . Others point to the ongoing costs associated with maintaining digital monitoring systems as a deterrent to implementation.
Nevertheless, officials from Motor Vehicles Department emphasize the necessity of these measures for ensuring accountability and safety in school transport services. They argue that CCTV cameras can provide vital evidence in the event of accidents or security incidents, while GPS tracking allows parents to monitor their children's bus movements in real time. This system is designed to improve transparency and enhance emergency responses during unforeseen circumstances.
The push for stricter monitoring gained traction following numerous complaints in previous years regarding inappropriate behavior by bus personnel. Implementing these measures could significantly address safety concerns during student transportation. GPS platform is also capable of storing route histories and operational data,enabling schools and regulators to review service quality and verify travel records when needed.
Currently,only a handful of institutions,primarily international and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools,have fully adopted comprehensive tracking and monitoring systems . In contrast, many other schools lag behind in compliance, despite the official mandate. This lack of action is particularly glaring as more private operators and commercial transport providers voluntarily implement on-board surveillance systems to document incidents like theft and altercations.
As new academic year progresses, parents and safety advocates are urging authorities to step up enforcement efforts . They insist that schools must implement the mandated safety measures without further delay, arguing that the safety of students should not be compromised due to administrative convenience or financial limitations. Calls for legal action against those who willfully delay compliance are growing louder,reflecting a deepening concern for student safety in school transportation.
