Safety of School Children in School Bus – CBSE Orders

Safety of School Children in School Bus – CBSE Orders

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

No. CBSE/AFF/Circular-8/2017/1217401

Dated: 23.02.2017

Sub: Safety of school children in the school bus.

            The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has always been an ardent advocate of pursuing ‘Student centric policies’ which inter alia included curricular, co-curricular and health aspects for holistic development of the child’s personality. The advisories issued by the Board in form of various circulars, the emphasis on compliance of its Affiliation bye-laws and various directives of the Government as well as the judgements pronounced by the Courts – aim at achieving this endeavor.

2. Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, vide judgment dated 16-12-1997 in W.P. (Civil) 13029 of 1985 in the case of Sh. M.C Mehta Vs Union India & Others, sensing the gravity of the issue has issued the order which, inter alia includes guidelines for safe plying of school buses and to ensure the safety of school children travelling in the bus.
3. However, the recent unfortunate instances reported in the media about callous approach by certain schools with respect to the safety of school children during transit to and fro to the school have again agitated deep concern regarding the safety of the school children. The time has come to make the schools sensitive to this serious issue and to take proactive remedial measures to ensure that safe transport for school children becomes one of the paramount safety objectives for every CBSE affiliated school.
4. CBSE Affiliation bye-laws (Chapter II, Rule 8.5) read with CBSE Circulars No.28/2004 dated 26.07.2004, No 01/2012 dated 08.06.2012, No.20/2014 dated 06.02.2014 and No.04 dated 28.10.2016 bear exhaustive provisions which are to be followed by every CBSE affiliated school for safety of school children during transit. The faith, trust and responsibility reposed in schools by parents should be the cardinal guiding beacon for every school to meet the expectations and contribute towards nurturing of young citizens of the country.
5. Taking into consideration the judgement pronounced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the statutory provisons, directives of the State Governments, provisions in Affiliation bye-laws and circulars issued by CBSE from time to time, a comprehensive guidelines have been consolidated, which is enclosed as Annexure- I. These guidelines should be scrupulously followed and complied with by all affiliated schools, as an integral part of Affiliation bye-laws.
6. The Management and the Head of the CBSE affiliated schools will be held responsible for any lapse in this regard which would invite appropriate action including the disaffiliation of the school as per the provisions under Affiliation bye-laws.

(K. Srinivasan)

Deputy Secretary (Affiliation)

Source: CBSE Portal