Thiruvananthapuram: The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) in Kerala has issued a set of guidelines regarding school buses ahead of the scheduled reopening of schools for the 2022-23 academic year.
Among the major stipulations are the installation of speed governor as well as GPS on the vehicles.
Every school bus should be fitted with an emergency door. Door attenders should be present at each door of the school bus. Cooling film and curtain are not allowed on the vehicles.
All school buses should clearly display the sign ‘EDUCATION INSTITUTION VEHICLE’ on both the front and rear sides. Other vehicles transporting school students should display a board reading ‘ON SCHOOL DUTY’.
The name and contact number of the school should be displayed on both sides of the bus. At the rear the following emergency phone numbers have to be exhibited: Child line (1098), Police (100), Ambulance (102) and Fire Force (101).
The maximum speed of school buses should be 30 kmph in school zones and 50 kmph in other areas.
A first-aid kit also has to be arranged.
As in the past all school buses have to be subjected to MVD inspection before school reopening.
Norms for drivers
Drivers should wear a uniform of white shirt with black pants. They should also carry an identity card. People employed for the job should have 10 years’ experience in driving vehicles and a five-year experience in driving heavy vehicles.
Those who have been found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or rash driving cannot be made drivers of school buses. They should not have habits such as chewing betel or taking drugs, state the guidelines.
Other dos and donts
Travelling by standing will not be allowed. But, two students can sit on a seat if they are aged below 12 years.
A teacher or employee of the school should be appointed as a route officer.
Schools have to maintain a register mentioning the names and other details of the students on each trip.