Gurgaon parents: CBSE school bus policy absurd

As per the new CBSE guidelines, parents have been assigned greater responsibility in ensuring safety of children

Parents of the schoolchildren opposed the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) school bus policy which states that schools can request a parent to be voluntarily present in the school bus to monitor the safety of children.

Parents said the board’s directives defeat the purpose of availing of school bus service. (HT File)

Parents said opting for the schoolbus service becomes of no use if they have to travel in the bus to ensure safety of their children.

Tripti Singh an entrepreneur residing in Sector 61 said, “Does the CBSE really care if the school follows all norms or not? If I pay for the school bus service for my child, why should I take the extra responsibility of travelling in the bus to make sure my child is safe? I would rather use personal transport.”

Another parent, Nitu Puri Vij, an entrepreneur, said, “Soon, the board will also ask parents to stay on school premises for the security of children.”

As per the new guidelines, parents have been assigned greater responsibility in ensuring safety of children. Apart from the guidelines for school authorities on manpower in buses, the board has also released a set of advisory for
parents.

“This step would ensure that safety measures are complied with in letter and spirit and the driver drives carefully,” the directive from CBSE said.

The CBSE said the management and the head of the school will be held responsible for any lapse and it could lead to disaffiliation of the school.

However, parents maintain that the directives are not practical.

Megha Arora Kataria, a doctor from Old Gurgaon said, “We opted for the schoolbus not as a luxury but as a need.”

Some parents also said travelling with children in schoolbuses would be a waste of time.

Payal Chauhan, an entrepreneur, said, “There should also be a rule that only mothers can be teachers at schools to ensure security of children. This is absurd and how can working parents accompany children in buses?”