KOCHI: After bypassing a directive by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to use books published by the NCERT in Schools, the Kerala CBSE School Managements Association is currently exploring ways not to implement a CBSE directive to introduce additional security measures in school buses.
As part of an initiative to enhance students’ security, the CBSE on February 23 directed school managements to deploy transport managers and conductors in school buses, and to install CCTV cameras. The directive is applicable to all CBSE-affiliated schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas. School managements have also been directed to voluntarily engage one parent in school buses to oversee behaviour of the crew.
Terming the directive an ‘unnecessary step,’ association president T P M Ibrahim Khan said it would increase the cost of operation. “Since transportation cost is already a burden on school managements, it is not practical to deploy two more personnel and install CCTV cameras. We will convince the CBSE that the suggestions are not practical. We will follow the order, but will make efforts to convince the CBSE,” he said.
Khan claimed sufficient measures, including GPS, were already in place in buses to ensure students’ safety. “There is one maid each in every bus to help the children. The drivers are well experienced. The maid and the driver have to be paid around Rs 15,000 and Rs 8,000-10,000 respectively,” he said.
The circular further stated, “Mobile phones should be provided in school buses. Students’ feedback on the facilities and conduct of the driver and the conductor needs to be recorded. The windows should be fitted with horizontal grills, and the speed-governor should be set at 40 km/h.”