KOCHI:Last week's gut-wrenching incident in which a school van plunged into a water body at Maradu here- claiming the lives of three tiny tots and their nanny- has spurred the police into action, with the authorities planning a major overhaul of the School Protection Groups (SPG) aimed at ensuring the students' safety. Also, the Narcotic Cell DySP has been nominated as the nodal officer, with the district police chief issuing the necessary orders.
" Despite the department's numerous initiatives to ensure students' safety, they have not benefited the target audience. Over the years, the SHO was the SPG's convener. However, his hectic schedule curtailed the time available for spending with the students. As per the Commissioner's latest directive, an efficient police officer will be appointed as joint convener for every SPG. This will enable close interaction with the students and help to resolve their issues," B.Krishnakumar, ACP, Narcotic Cell, told Express during a training class for teachers organised jointly with the MVD in the wake of the Maradu mishap.
According to him, " Since a police officer has been asked to participate in all the activities of the school, the department can do a lot of activities to ensure the safety of the students. Besides the issues related to their conveyance, the students can apprise the officer of other issues which they might encounter".
Moreover, to create awareness on traffic-related matters among students, the police and the MVD will organise activities, including quiz competitions, for the children. " If 100 students from a school can pass the traffic-related quiz competition we will award them one-star rating. If 500 students of the same school can pass the examination we will honour them by awarding two-star rating. This will also help to educate the students," said the officer.
K M Shaji, Enforcement RTO, said the MVD plans to impress upom the school authorities the need to have detailed information on vehicles ferrying children to the school and back. " "We have already issued guidelines and checklist to the school authorities for ensuring the students' safety. It is also the responsibility of the school authorities to maintain vehicles which comply fully with the MVD rules," he said.