By Timothy Albrite
As schools reopen, it is important to address the growing concern around school transportation safety, especially in light of recent road crashes involving school buses.
It is imperative that all stakeholders come together to ensure that children are transported to and from school safely.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), AA Kenya, and other stakeholders have taken a proactive approach by organizing the Usalama Barabarani medical camps to enhance safety on school transport.
One of the key ways to enhance safety is by ensuring that all school bus drivers have undergone Road Safety training like the Smart School Bus Driver’s Safety program offered by AA Institute. The program equips drivers with essential mechanical skills, first aid, and customer service training. This will ensure that drivers are not only knowledgeable about road safety but also equipped with the necessary skills to handle any emergency situation that may arise.
Furthermore, school bus wardens should also be trained through the School Bus Warden Road Safety course that imparts them with skills and knowledge of road safety and handling of students. This training will ensure that school bus wardens play an active role in ensuring the safety of students during transportation.
In addition to training, it is important for schools to regularly maintain their school buses. This includes regular servicing, inspection, and repairs to ensure that all vehicles are roadworthy.
Schools should also ensure that their buses are equipped with safety features such as seat belts, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers.
Parents also play a crucial role in ensuring school transport safety. They should ensure their children are supervised to and from the school bus stop. This will ensure that during the waiting period, they are not exposed to any danger. They should also establish communication channels with the school bus driver and warden to stay informed about any incidents during transportation.
It is also important for the children to be educated on Road Safety.
They should be taught how to cross the road safely, how to use pedestrian crossings, and how to behave when waiting for the school bus.
School transportation safety is a growing concern that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
Schools, parents, and drivers must continue to work together to ensure that children are transported to and from school safely. By ensuring that drivers and wardens are trained, buses are well-maintained, and parents are vigilant, we can create a safe environment for our children to learn and grow.