Talks on school transport safety

The Education Division and Transport Authority were discussing the recommendations made in the inquiry report on the recent accident involving a student who fell out of a school van, Education Minister Louis Galea said.

The division and the authority, he said, were working together to see what further measures could be taken to guarantee that the regulations and conditions concerning the transport of schoolchildren were adhered to.

The departmental inquiry had found that the vehicle in question was carrying 28 students when it only had seats for 12. The inquiry board recommended that the number of students should not exceed the number agreed to, that students should not have to stand and that the vehicle should be appropriate to carry students.

Drivers should drive carefully, be trained to deal with students, be mature, have a clean record and act responsibly and calmly even in difficult circumstances.

Among other recommendations, the board also said there should be an efficient way for students to lodge complaints and frequent inspections of the vehicles should be made by the education authorities.

Dr Galea and Transport Minster Censu Galea are participating in the talks.

Addressing a seminar for 107 workers of the maintenance section of the Education Division, Dr Galea said the government has been working towards giving schools the structures and equipment required to boost health and safety.

There were currently 47 health and safety teachers in secondary schools and eight in primary schools, he said.