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A meeting in Manama also calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to forced displacement in the Palestinian territory
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Safer school buses campaign picks up
Schools in the country are continuing to rework security measures and improve students’ safety as authorities are stepping up efforts to prevent untoward incidents during school hours.
The move follows the alleged incident of the rape of a four-year-old girl in a school bus in November last year.
While most schools are asking teachers to accompany students on bus routes with kindergarten and primary students, some providers have started recruitments for female bus monitors to assist students.
“We have decided to hire female conductors for the buses catering to our primary students. As an interim measure, lady teachers will board the bus first in the morning and get down last in the afternoon,” said Vandana Marwaha, principal, Delhi Private School (DPS), Sharjah. The school currently has 38 buses with female bus conductors as 18 more are expected to join the school in the coming months.
“As an added precaution, the designated teacher who is in charge of a bus sends an SMS to the concerned supervisor intimating that all students have been dropped home safely,” added Vandana.
Recent media reports highlighting cases of abuse in schools have prompted the need for safer schools as a growing number of parents demand for a revamp of school safety procedures.
Poonam Bhojani, director, Dubai International Academy pointed out safety measures incorporated in the school include assistance by female staff for students. “From the very beginning, all buses in our schools have always had female monitors. Bus monitors don’t drop-off a child unless the parents or their authorised representative is available to handover the child. Instead, the child will be brought back to school and the parent will be informed to come and collect the child from the school,” said Poonam.
The Delhi Private School (DPS) in Dubai is also reviewing its safety procedures in an attempt to make the school safer.
“At the moment, we are reviewing our procedures and being vigilant to protect our students from any unfortunate incident. As a safety measure, we ensure none of the small kids are left alone in the bus if they are supposed to be dropped last,” said Rashmi Nandkeolyar, principal, DPS Dubai.
The primary school closes for vacation in March and the annual break will provide time for school authorities to implement changes before students return for the new academic year. “We are in talks to implement some changes and it is a matter of time before we announce the changes,” added Rashmi.
However, certain schools are yet to rework their modus operandi as male bus monitors continue to assist school students in getting to school.
Advocate Najeeth, chairman, Gulf Model School says the school places its trust in the staff who have been working with the school and understand the needs of the students.
“There is no need for an immediate decision because we trust our staff. Also, there has been no directive from the government or any concerned authority requesting the need to hire women bus conductors,” said Najeeth.
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