Editorial

School transport has never been without its headaches on many counts and for a variety of reasons. However, where the safety of children is concerned, the utmost care is warranted, while keeping in mind that different schools and different ages face a variety of situations.

A report, of a performance audit of the state school transport system, published by the National Audit Office, has raised concerns over the safety of state schoolchildren on the school run, claiming that many of them are being left unsupervised on the bus or as they wait outside the school gates.

It does not look, judging by the report, that there is an established policy on supervision of students while they are in transit. Yet lack of adequate supervision on school buses can result in mishaps.

Far too many vehicles carrying schoolchildren are often seen going to destinations at full speed. A great danger exists in the fact that many students are having to wait outside school gates, unsupervised, either because their bus picks them up too early in the morning or because the bus is delayed in collecting them after school. Buses and vans often have other trips to cater for, and try to fit them all in as best they can.

Despite the report, a spokesman for the Education Division says that supervising the entire school population, apart from being very costly, is not necessary, since the division does not have a worrying history of accidents.

As defined by the heads themselves, supervisors should maintain order and report "exceptional circumstances".

Yet, a quarter of the heads questioned in the survey admitted that no one supervises students on buses. The others designated a bus prefect or the driver himself as the supervisor.

Supervision on the buses is a tricky thing, and it is common to pass the buck. A third of the heads said they did not know who was responsible. The others either assumed the responsibility themselves, or placed the onus on the driver or company providing the transport service, or put the burden on the Education Division.

Legal advice on the matter says that as transport services are contracted by the division, it is the division that is responsible.

Problems that have been mentioned concern the timing - which means that pupils are often left unsupervised before school opens or closes its doors - overcrowding, bullying and bad behaviour by the pupils themselves, and some reckless driving or impatience on the part of drivers.

The education division is demanding that in its agreement with the transport providers, the contractors must ensure that their drivers are of good conduct, that they drive safely and ensure at all times the safety of the passengers.

Moreover, they must ensure that the vehicle they use is roadworthy and compliant with road safety regulations.

Parents can work for greater safety by getting together, where possible, to ensure that someone supervises collection of children before and after school, and they should instil a sense of safety in their wards.

Clearly though, the overall school transport situation as it stands today is unsatisfactory and needs to be seen to in order to ensure safety at all times.