Image used for representational purpose only MUMBAI: The School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) has taken the initiative to organise sensitisation camps for bus drivers in a few schools in the far-flung western suburbs on Wednesday. While the camp was held in four schools in Virar, three in Vasai, and one in Mira-Bhayander, it will now be conducted at Andheri and a few other schools in the western suburbs of the city on Thursday, said SBOA president Anil Garg. This move comes in the wake of the recent incident in Badlapur, where two nursery students were sexually abused by a school sweeper.
Garg stated, "In the past, there have been incidents of bus attendants or drivers molesting young students, and we want to warn everyone about the dire consequences." The association has begun training drivers and female attendants in the buses, with approximately 12 school sessions conducted on Wednesday. SBOA plans to provide similar training in all other schools in Mumbai and across the region, emphasising the importance of maintaining a professional distance from students and the severe consequences of any misconduct.
The association has also instructed all bus operators to ensure that their school buses are equipped with functional CCTV cameras and that no bus should pick up or drop off children without the presence of a female attendant. In cases where the female attendant is absent, school principals are requested to provide support staff or teachers to accompany the children on the bus. "Additionally, the association stresses the importance of educating students about the concept of good touch and bad touch ," Garg said.
The primary objective of these sensitisation camps is to raise awareness among bus drivers and attendants regarding the grave consequences of any form of sexual abuse or molestation involving young children. The training sessions will address various aspects of child safety , such as maintaining appropriate boundaries with students, ensuring the presence of a female attendant on the bus, and the proper functioning of CCTV cameras. The recent incident in Badlapur has underscored the urgent need for robust measures to safeguard children in educational institutions.
The SBOA's initiative to organise sensitisation camps is a proactive step towards preventing such appalling incidents from occurring in the future, he added..
