Mangaluru: With a rising number of accidents and complaints from parents and the public that school studentsin Dakshina Kannada and other parts of the state are forced to travel to schools in goods transport vehicles such as trucks, the department of public instruction has directed all schools to make their own transport arrangements for transportation of students.

However, while private or government aided schools can make such arrangements easily, government schools are finding it difficult to arrange for the same.

In a circular, commissioner, department of public instruction, has pointed out that students are risking their lives by travelling in goods transport vehicles, which are leading to accidents.

“This is a gross violation under the Motor Vehicles Act. Therefore, all schools are now directed to make arrangements for school buses or vehicles to ferry children to schools. It is applicable for government, aided and unaided schools. Transport arrangements should also be made whenever there is a study tour, sports meet or any academic function. It is banned to make school students travel in goods transport vehicles,” the circular stated.

The circular also directed deputy commissioners, police officials and others officials to check violations in this regard.

Schools warned

The circular warned that if any untoward incidents take place due to school students being transported in goods vehicles, action will be taken against the school management as per law.

It stated that school students must make use of concessional bus passes provided by KSRTC.

Those who cannot afford to use school buses or cabs can make use of KSRTC buses under contract carriage. the circular added.

We have made transport arrangements: DDPI

When reporter contacted Y Shivaramaiah, DDPI, Dakshina Kannada, he said that a handful of government schools have bus services. They are situated in Madya near Kotekar, Punjalkatte and Daddalkad, which has four buses.

“Apart from it, wherever required, government schools are making arrangement by roping in Omni vans. We are making sure that all vehicles ferrying children do not violate any rules such as overcrowding and speeding and follow safety rules,” said Shivaramaiah.

Private/ aided schools have made their own arrangements. “Compared to other districts, incidents of students travelling in goods transport vehicles are very less in Dakshina Kannada,” he added.