Lok Sabha Question No. 114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-11-30
Subject: Transport Service in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, B.N. CHANDRAPPA, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 114 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 TH  NOVEMBER, 2015

## Transport Service in Schools

114. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI B.N. CHANDRAPPA: SHRI D.K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT मानव संसाधन �वकास मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it  is a  fact that there  is  no effective mechanism put in place  by  Government to ensure safety of school children using private transport service and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that the number of accidents of school buses/van are increasing due to rash and negligent driving, overcrowding etc.;
- (c)  if  so,  the  number  of  such  accidents  reported  during  the  last  three  years,  year-wise, State/UT-wise; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  proposal  with  regard  to  safety  of  children using private transport and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a):  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  aims  to  universalize  access  to  elementary  education. Under  SSA,  transport  facilities  are  provided  to  children  enrolled  in  Government  and Government aided schools  in remote habitations  with  sparse populations or  in urban areas where availability of  land  to  set  up  a  new  school  is  a  problem  or  to  children  belonging  to extremely  deprived  groups  or  to  children  with  special  needs  (CWSN),  who  may  not  find access to schools. During 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16; Rs. 3834.22  lakhs, Rs.2523.585 lakhs  and  Rs.  4804.62  lakh  respectively  have  been  allocated  under  SSA  for  transport facilities.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has issued guidelines dated 9 th October, 2014 on safety and security of children to the States/UTs. Central Board of Secondary Education has  also  issued  guidelines  dated  8 th August,  2012  regarding  transport  precautions  to  be observed  by  schools.  These  guidelines  have  been  disseminated  to  various  directorates, organizations  and  institutions  including  Kendriya  Vidyalaya  Sangathan  and  Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti for compliance.

(b) & (c): The SSA programme is being implemented in coordination and consultation with the  States/UTs  and  the  approved  interventions  under  SSA  are  implemented  by  State Implementing  Societies  registered  in  States/UTs.  A  majority  of  schools  come  under  the purview of the State governments/UTs and it is for them to have an effective mechanism.  No such centralised data on accidents during transportation is maintained by this Ministry.

(d): As indicated above, the Ministry has issued guidelines dated 9 th October, 2014 on safety and security of children to the States/UTs. Central Board of Secondary Education has also issued guidelines dated 8 th August, 2012 regarding transport precautions to be observed by schools.

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