Nagpur Schools Mandate GPS Trackers on Buses, Driver Checks to Boost Safety
Nagpur, India: The Maharashtra State Education Department has introduced new rules to enhance safety in school transportation across the city, just before the start of the new academic year.
According to the Government Resolution (GR), all school buses must now be equipped with GPS trackers. This will allow authorities and parents to monitor the bus routes and ensure students’ timely and safe travel.
In addition to GPS tracking, comprehensive background checks will soon be mandatory for all school bus drivers. This includes verifying their driving records and checking for any history of accidents.
To further ensure safety, drivers, cleaners, and female attendants will be subjected to regular alcohol and drug tests, particularly before the morning pick-up and evening drop-off times.
Only authorised personnel will be allowed inside the school buses, and parents using private vehicles such as vans or autos for their children’s transport are urged to verify the driver’s identity and share this information with the school. It is also advised that parents keep a record of driver details for their own safety.
Sanjay Tayde-Patil, founder-president of the Maharashtra English Schools Trustees Association (MESTA), stressed the importance of police verification for drivers of private vehicles. He said, “Parents must ensure the drivers they employ have a police-issued character certificate.” However, he acknowledged that enforcing these rules practically, especially after school hours, may be challenging.
Schools have also been asked to set up systems to alert parents if a student does not board the bus or is absent on a particular day.
While many organised school fleets already follow these safety norms, this new government directive formalises and expands the requirements to cover all schools and transport providers.
These steps aim to provide a safer travel environment for students and give parents peace of mind regarding their children’s safety on the road.
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