KARACHI: The Sindh Education Department has directed all private schools in Karachi to ensure proper safety arrangements for students travelling in school vans, warning of legal action against institutions found violating transport regulations.
The directives, issued by the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Educational Institutions on the instructions of the provincial education minister, include a complete ban on gas cylinders in school vehicles.
In an official communication, the Directorate expressed serious concern over the use of unsafe transport arrangements, particularly vans fitted with gas cylinders that could cause fires, explosions and other potentially fatal incidents.
School administrations have been instructed to ensure that transport operators strictly follow vehicle passenger limits, with overcrowding declared unacceptable.
The department also highlighted reports of fuel being transferred into some vehicles through bottles and cans, describing the practice as extremely hazardous.
It further noted that several school vehicles were operating beyond their authorised passenger capacity and without valid fitness certificates issued by the Transport Department.
Fitness certificates made compulsory
The Directorate directed all schools to ensure that their transport vehicles possess valid fitness certificates and meet the required safety standards.
Schools have also been prohibited from allowing children to travel on vehicle footboards, hang from doors or occupy any other unsafe position while commuting.
The instructions make school administrations responsible for ensuring that transport operators comply with all applicable laws, safety regulations and security requirements.
The Directorate warned that violations would invite legal action against the concerned school administrations, which would be held responsible for any breach of the prescribed safety rules.
