Mysore/Mysuru: Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has issued a circular to School managements for mandatory Police verification of school vehicle drivers and assistants/ attenders in view of the safety of students.

In a circular issued from the Office of DSEL Commissioner, it is stated that “Under The Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, it has been already directed to form School Cab Safety Committee. In the wake of cases of harassment of school children by private school vehicles drivers and their assistants being reported, Police verification about mental status of all the bus, van, autorickshaw drivers should be conducted and compulsorily obtain a certificate. The Conduct Certificate issued by the Police should be uploaded on Student Tracking System (STS) software of respective schools.”

Women should be deputed as bus attenders and CCTV cameras should be installed in every private school vehicles. The number of school children should not exceed the capacity of vehicles. The bus drivers and attenders should compulsorily sign the attendance before the principal, before picking and after dropping the school children. The said details should be submitted to Office of respective Block Education Officers (BEOs) for approval. The BEOs should ensure that all schools are following the aforementioned norms in toto, states the circular.