Ghaziabad: The district administration has made character verification and health examinations mandatory for school vehicle drivers, officials said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the special district school vehicle transport safety committee.A police character certificate or police clearance certificate (PCC) states whether a person has any criminal record or pending legal cases. It is commonly required for international travel, visa applications, employment background checks or govt services. These certificates for bus drivers so far had been optional.Assistant regional transport officer (enforcement) Amit Rajan Rai has directed the schools to ensure drivers undergo the checks. School managements have been instructed to allow only verified and medically fit drivers to operate these vehicles.The authorities have emphasised the safety of younger students. “Schools have been directed to ensure the presence of a male or female attendant in every school vehicle carrying young children. The attendant will assist students while boarding and getting off the vehicle and monitor their safety throughout the journey. Children will not be permitted to travel in school vehicles without an attendant,” he said.The latest directions come against the backdrop of repeated enforcement action against school vehicles in the district. TOI had reported last month that transport authorities had issued notices to 60 school buses in the district after a safety drive. The buses were found lacking mandatory safety provisions, including safety certificates and CCTV cameras, while officials were also checking fitness certificates, permits, insurance, pollution certificates and police verification of drivers and conductors.The administration has now directed every school to constitute a school transport safety committee in accordance with Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicle Rules, 2019. The committee will periodically review the condition and safety arrangements of these vehicles.School managements have been instructed to strictly follow all prescribed safety standards and ensure that no negligence takes place in the operation of school vehicles. Authorities have made it clear that any compromise with the safety of students will invoke action against schools.
