School bus drivers to be awarded for exceptional performance

Madurai: Starting this year, school bus drivers who perform exceptionally well will receive awards on behalf of the district administration, said Madurai district collector K J Praveen Kumar during the annual inspection of school vehicles at the Madurai District Armed Reserve Parade Ground on Tuesday.Emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards safety lapses, the collector directed transport officials to ensure that every educational institution strictly adheres to prescribed norms to guarantee the well-being of students during their commute.During the extensive field inspection, a dedicated team of officials scrutinised the mechanical and safety features of 306 school buses and vans. Collector personally monitored the verification of essential safety equipment, including the functionality of emergency exit doors, the availability of fire extinguishers and the presence of well-stocked first-aid kits.Technical requirements such as speed governors, GPS tracking systems and high-definition CCTV cameras were also tested to ensure they were in proper working condition.The administration also conducted a thorough audit of documentation and personnel. Officials verified the validity of vehicle insurance, fitness certificates (FC) and pollution under control (PUC) permits.Simultaneously, the credentials of school bus drivers were put under the scanner, with authorities checking for valid heavy-vehicle licences, years of driving experience and overall physical fitness to ensure that only qualified personnel are entrusted with the responsibility of transporting children.He also stated that in accordance with the govt order, 16 mandatory features have been installed in every school vehicle. Furthermore, training was provided by 108 ambulance staff and private hospital teams regarding the usage of first-aid kits, safe driving practices, and life-saving treatments to be administered during emergencies. In response to complaints regarding the increase in accidents involving share autos that transport students, officials from the school education, revenue and transport departments are holding consultations to take action against such autos.