Saturday, 14 SEPTEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The chairwoman of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Geeta Khanna has asked the Education department and the regional transport office to implement security measures for children in school vans, particularly emphasising the safety of girls. She said this after a recent incident of alleged misconduct with a child in a school van. Subsequently, the Transport department conducted a meeting with relevant officials to ensure compliance with guidelines pertaining to school vans. In light of the incident, Khanna has also recently written to the RTO and Education department urging them to prioritise the safety of students using private school vans and school buses. Khanna expressed her concern regarding the incident involving a girl in a school van. In the letter, she emphasised the importance of installing CCTV cameras in all school buses and vans. Further, she urged the Education department to ensure proper verification of the drivers of school buses. She also requested the RTO to install posters displaying the helpline numbers of SCPCR and the police in private school vans, Vikrams and other public transport vehicles. Khanna stated that she has also requested the police to remain vigilant and ensure that the verification of every school van driver has been completed and if not, action must be taken against them. Additionally, she urged parents to verify the school van driver instead of randomly entrusting their children to the driver.
