03 March,2011 10:19 AM IST | | Parth Satam
Many school buses flout safety norms issued by RTO and do not even have fire extinguisher or first-aid kit Serious violation: The schoolbuses of Saint Mary's school (left) and Saint Mira's School did not have a first-aid kit or fire extinguisher and were not painted yellow. Pic/Kunal Thakur
The safety of their child travelling by the school is a constant niggle for most parents. And why not? After all, simple rules like painting the bus in yellow, installing fire extinguishers, first aid kits and window grills are not complied with by bus operators.
MiD DAY exposes how schools openly flout safety norms laid down by the city's Regional Transport Office.
Norms flouted openly
The DAV Public School has 6,000 students and has 38 buses on contract from private bus operators to transport students. These buses do not follow even basic norms. The buses had not been painted yellow and were not equipped with fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Window grills were also not fitted in most of the buses.
While inspecting one such bus, the attendant was sneaking in a fire extinguisher and then claiming it was already inside the bus.
School Administrator Kuldeep Mahajan said the school was in the process of having all the buses equipped with the required gear. "We are hurrying the process and everything will be in order as soon possible," said Mahajan. Transport manager Raju Latamble said fire extinguishers and other equipments often got stolen at night.
The buses at St Mira's School, which has 3,000 students, were not painted yellow, neither were they equipped with fire extinguishers or first aid kit.
The reporter was not allowed to meet the principal. "Madam is busy. You cannot meet her now and neither will she entertain you," said a security personnel. A spokesperson for the school said: "The school cannot comment on the safety issues."
Nilesh Jambhulkar, a bus operator, said: "St Mary's School has not signed the authorising letter which will allow bus owners to get his bus registered under school bus category. The bus also did not have a first aid kit and an emergency exit. When school authorities were questioned about this they said: "This is currently last on our priority list." The school has around 3,000 students.
Bus operators transporting students of the Sardar Dastur Schools told MiD DAY that the school had rejected several proposals to start a contract-based service.
Anita Pandit, the principal, said: There is nothing much I can do about it, as I have no direct control over them."
Don't blame us
School buses owned by Bishop's School were not allowed to be checked, but some buses which the students boarded did not have basic facilities.
The list of students was absent as well. Principal Father Frank Freese said: "The buses belonging to my school have all the required permissions and safety provisions prescribed by the RTO."
He refused to comment on the other buses saying it was a private arrangement between the parents and the bus operators. Rosary International School which has around 4,000 students in the Camp branch also did not fulfil the requisite norms. The staff members were not present inside the buses and their doors were not locked.
Vinay Aranha, president of Rosary Group of Schools, remained unavailable for comment. He also refused to reply to text messages.
St. Vincent's School, which has 4000 students, owns only two school buses. While one of the buses had all the requisite equipment, the other did not have an emergency exit on the rear right hand side.
Patt Edwards, in-charge of maintenance, said: "We can't leave the students hanging in balance while the bus goes for repairs. We are waiting for the academic year to get over after which the emergency exit will be installed."
RTO speaks
Asked about buses that are privately employed by parents through bus operators, Deputy Regional Transport Officer Sanjay Dhaygude said: "Primary responsibility of complying with norms lies with the bus operators. But at the same time, the school authorities should look into the matter, as they are also responsible for the safety of the children."
