The Hindu 15 Nov - Reacting to the circular, Sumit Vohra, said: “What about schools that have ample parking space, but outsource private vans? Also, many schools do not having parking space. DoE should come out with a clear policy for all schools and make it mandatory for them to run their own buses for security and safety of children.”

Schools directed to park buses inside campus

The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued notices to all schools in the Capital, directing them to park buses inside the school at the time of boarding and alighting of students.

The move came after the Traffic Police informed the DoE about traffic snarls that take place due to schools parking their buses at odd places.

“Some schools park their buses on the main road while students are alighting and boarding the bus. This not only creates congestion for other road users, but also endangers the safety of school children by increasing their vulnerability to road accidents,” said a DoE official.

“Keeping this problem in mind, we have issued a circular to all schools and directed them to follow it with immediate effect,” the official added.

“All the heads of schools/managers of private unaided recognized schools are hereby directed accordingly to make necessary arrangements for boarding and alighting of students inside the school premises. In no case the boarding and alighting of the students will be allowed to be done on the road in front or the side of the school,” the circular dated November 12 read.

“In case it is not possible to park vehicles inside the school premises, the buses must be parked in a way that they do not create a traffic problem.”

Most private schools, however, said they are already following the rule and that school buses are always parked inside.

Springdales School Principal Ameeta Wattal said: “We are already aware of the safety of our students. Buses are parked inside the campus at the time of alighting and boarding of children.”

Reacting to the circular, Sumit Vohra, who runs a nursery admission portal, said: “What about schools that have ample parking space, but outsource private vans? Also, many schools do not having parking space. DoE should come out with a clear policy for all schools and make it mandatory for them to run their own buses for security and safety of children.”

The move came after the Traffic Police informed the Directorate of Education about traffic snarls that take place due to schools parking their buses at odd places