PANAJI
Following the recent accident of a Bal Rath school bus at Cuncolim due to brake failure, the State government has amended the scheme making it mandatory for school managements to submit vehicle fitness certificates annually.
Also, the school management will be held accountable for any untoward incidents in case the Bal Rath services -- pick up and drop students -- is provided beyond 5kms for high schools and 7kms for high secondary schools.
The government has also hiked the grants to the government aided schools to operate Bal Rath buses from Rs 4.17 lakh to Rs 5.50 lakh per annum. The aid is provided to schools to meet recurring expenses in running the school bus. The aid given to schools is used by the institutions for maintenance and fuel, besides payment of salaries of drivers and attendants.
The schools will have to spend annually Rs 50,000 towards repair and maintenance of the bus.
Also, the government has notified a hike in salaries of drivers and attendants. The drivers would be paid Rs 17,000 as against Rs 12,000 and the attendant would get a salary of Rs 10,000 from Rs 6,000 for 11 months with 5 per cent annual hike.
“Following the Cuncolim incident, we have revised the scheme to lay greater emphasis on the safety aspects. Annual fitness certificate of the bus, issued by RTO will have to be submitted to the education department,” Director Education Shailesh Zingade told The Goan adding that a Certificate from Parent Teachers Association certifying that the school bus was in operation and to their satisfaction, has also been made mandatory.
The certificates have to be submitted on or before June 30, every year.
“The bus is required to pick up and drop students within a radius of 5 kms for School/High School and 7 kms for Higher Secondary School, beyond which, the Management will be responsible for any untoward incidents,” he said.
As per directives, the Institution has to constitute a Committee “Children Transportation Committee” to look into the matters pertaining to safe transportation of school children, transportation fees, identification of bus stops, etc.
