Should the schools fail to arrange adequate security arrangements in school buses, it’ll cost them their CBSE affiliation.
Should the schools fail to arrange adequate security arrangements in school buses, it’ll cost them their CBSE affiliation.
Should the schools fail to arrange adequate security arrangements in school buses, it’ll cost them their CBSE affiliation.
Should the schools fail to arrange adequate security arrangements in school buses, it’ll cost them their CBSE affiliation.

Following the school bus accident in Etah (Uttar Pradesh) that resulted in death of 12 innocent children and the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has released consolidated, revised guidelines for school authorities to prevent a re-occurrence of such tragic incidents in future. According to the new rules, CBSE has issued a statutory warning to all public schools in Rajasthan as well as the country. Should the schools fail to arrange adequate security arrangements in school buses, it’ll cost them their CBSE affiliation.

In 1997’s ‘MC Mehta Vs Union of India and Other’ case, the Supreme Court passed a rule on 16th December, asking the institutional management to fulfill the safety requirements of school transportation. Quoting this ruling in the guidelines, the CBSE took this decision in attempt to prevent schools from violating the safety rules.


The CBSE Student-Centric Policy 2017 Includes Stringent Rules for Road Safety

Safety rules that one is expected to follow while travelling in or around school buses.
Safety rules that one is expected to follow while travelling in or around school buses.

Deputy Affiliation In-charge of CBSE, Sri Nivasan has issued comprehensive guidelines under 2017 CBSE student-centric policy for all CBSE affiliated schools in India. The policy includes provisions for all-round student development, academic syllabus, co-curriculum syllabus and student health (both physical and mental).

In this regard, the board has issued important pointers for the school. According to Sri Nivasan, in case of violations of the new safety guidelines, the board will hold the school owner and the management accountable. A case will be registered under the defaulters and repeated negligence will result in cancellation of school affiliation.

Other than the guidelines covering requirement of trained manpower in bus, the board as specifically asked one of the parents to accompany school students in bus while transportation. The parents can occupy the bus in shifts to make sure that the school is diligently following the safety precautions. In case of negligence, they’re expected to report the violations to the school authorities.

Additionally, the school authorities are expected to seek periodic feedback from bus travelers, including parents and children. They’ve to maintain a record on transport facility, driver/conductor performance, first aid box and observance of on-road traffic rules.

Hopefully, this step would prevent school accidents in future.