The State Government on Saturday issued a guideline for conduct of safe picnics and trips for school students across the State.
Official sources said that the district education officers will ensure that the guideline is adhered to during the exposure trips and picnics of school students. The State Government issued the guideline following the accident in Angul district recently.
While schools have been asked to use buses duly certified by the MVI (motor vehicle inspector) and RTO (regional transport officer), the guideline said the drivers of buses carrying the children must have valid driving licences and not used to consuming alcohol.
The buses carrying students must not run at high speed and avoid unnecessary overtaking, the gudeline said, adding the vehicles must not be overloaded or students allowed to occupy seats in the driver’s cabin.
In a bid to ensure safety of girl students taking part in the exposure trips, the guideline stated that lady teachers must accompany the team and travel during night should be avoided.
The heads of school administration must keep records of the students, names of their guardians with contact numbers for future reference, the guideline added.