There isn’t any argument that the safety of schoolchildren is paramount at any given time and therefore it can be observed that the school authorities have taken a number of measures to strengthen the safety of schoolchildren.
Even in the midst of such security arrangements, sometimes it is sad to see how schoolchildren are vulnerable to various accidents. It is observed that various reasons such as non-compliance of security measures and the lack of security measures are the main cause for such accidents.
When talking about ‘School Safety’ it can be defined as creating a safe environment for children, beginning from their homes to their schools and back. This includes safety from any kind of abuse, violence, psycho-social issue, disaster: natural and manmade, fire, transportation.
Emotional safety is especially important because it is often difficult for teachers and parents to detect emotional problems and difficulties in children. Bullying can cause victimized students to suffer from lower self-esteem and daily stress which could affect their well-being.
Following the recent bus accident that occurred on the Nanu-Oya - Radella shortcut road at Nuwara Eliya, it is noticed that the importance of improving the safety of schoolchildren has come to the surface.
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| The mangled wreckage of one of the vehicles involved in the Nanu-Oya accident. |
Many stakeholders and interested parties are now making a huge outcry on improving the safety of schoolchildren especially while on trips or on school educational tours.
A student of Thurstan College who was in the bus that was involved in the accident in Nanu- Oya where seven people were killed and over 53 hospitalized told the Daily News that the driver of the bus was driving at high speed while ignoring the pleas of the students to drive at a slower speed.
“We shouted and pleaded with him to go slow, but he continued to drive at high speed,” the student said.
It is clear that ignorance, negligence and reckless driving on the part of the driver were the main causes for this road mishap. It should take into account that there is a huge probability that the accident could have been averted if the driver drove at a moderate or controllable speed. The driver had been driving at break-neck speed on the narrow road, where there are several wire-bends.
The student said as he was seated in one of the front rows of the bus and did not see it colliding with the van and the trishaw, but his friends who were in the back had seen the van thrown forward for several metres after colliding with the bus. It indicates that the driver failed to control the bus before it collided with the van coming from the opposite direction owing to the excessive speed.
Another student meanwhile said the bus seemed to have gathered speed while going down the slope of the road despite having a number of bends.
He said as the bus hit the van, students who were in the back seats of the bus were thrown forward. He said it was close to 7.30 p.m. when the accident happened and as it was dark he did not see the bus hitting the van but heard a loud noise.
He said after the bus went down the precipice. Students who were unconscious were carried up to the road by students who were not injured with the help of the villagers. The student said he had only sustained minor injuries and had called his father immediately after the accident and urged him to call health officials for help.
According to area residents, the reckless driving of the bus may be the main cause for the accident as there was poor visibility on the road due to misty conditions, which may have hampered the drivers’ vision.
It is alarming to see why the teachers, who were in the bus at that moment, kept silent and failed to caution the driver against speeding. It can be noticed that not only the driver but also the teachers had neglected their duties and responsibility regarding the safety of travellers.
Children are as sensitive as a flower and are regarded as the apple of their parents’ eyes. Parents will leave no stone unturned to ensure the safety of their children. They want to provide the best for their children, whether it’s their clothes, friends, school, or any activity-classes. The teachers who are considered as guardians are duty bound to stand for the safety of students especially during educational tours.
Children are used to spending more time in school than anywhere else. So it becomes a vital task for the school authorities, teachers, and parents to ensure their safety in the best possible way. They need to make sure that every student is safe inside the school premises as well as while travelling to or from the school.
When contacted, the Education Ministry officials on ensuring the safety of students while on tours, they said that a set of guidelines are being prepared by the School Activity Branch of the Education Ministry under the guidance of Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha. Besides, instead of Police investigations, a ministerial level investigation is being carried out to inquire into the accidents aiming to find out the exact cause for the accidents. This fact finding inquiry will help the Education Ministry issue a proper criteria for schools to adhere to when going on educational tours or study trips.
“Once issued, it will be obligatory to abide by the guidelines and if violated, disciplinary action will be taken accordingly”, the Minister said.
Moreover, attention should be drawn on school buses as a considerable amount of students use school buses as the main mode of transport. Without a doubt, school buses are a safe and convenient way for children to travel to and from school. However, a few school bus-related traffic accidents have been reported each year.
Children spend more time in school than anywhere else. So it becomes a vital task for school authorities, teachers, and parents and the Education Ministry to ensure their safety in the best possible way. They need to make sure that every student is safe inside the school premises as well as while travelling to or from the school and especially while on educational tours.
Accordingly, some critical guidelines, which schools can follow to ensure the proper safety of children once they leave their home for school and for tours, will be issued promptly.
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