PANAJI
In the wake of the sexual assault of a six-year-old minor girl by a school van driver, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has made police verification compulsory for all drivers and helpers engaged in the transportation of schoolchildren across the State, including those deployed on Balrath buses.
The directive follows the arrest of the accused, identified as Allabhaksh Goususab Saiyydabade, by Porvorim police last week for allegedly sexually assaulting the minor. The accused remains in police custody, which has been extended till January 1.
In a circular issued on Monday, Director of Education Shailesh Zingade issued clear instructions to all heads of schools and managements, stating that no driver or helper should be engaged in transporting schoolchildren without a valid and satisfactory police verification certificate. The verification, he said, must also be renewed periodically.
“In compliance with child safety norms and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) regarding the safety and security of children, it is hereby directed that police verification shall be made mandatory for all drivers and helpers engaged in the transportation of schoolchildren, including those deployed on Balrath and other school transport vehicles,” Zingade stated in the circular.
The DoE has further clarified that police verification must be obtained afresh in cases of new appointments or replacement of drivers and helpers. “Police verification shall be renewed periodically and shall also be obtained afresh in case of new engagement or replacement of any driver or helper,” the circular reads.
School managements have also been instructed to maintain a proper record or register containing the police verification details of all drivers and helpers and the records must be produced for inspection by the competent authority whenever required.
Placing the onus squarely on educational institutions, Zingade said that the responsibility for strict compliance with the instructions would rest with the head of the institution and the concerned school management. He warned that any violation of the directives would invite strict action.
“Strict compliance with this circular is mandatory and any non-compliance will be viewed seriously,” the DoE said.
