Schools on same route to keep 15-minute difference in timings

Patna: Traffic snarls due to school buses, vans and rickshaws may soon be a thing of the past for the city as the district administration on Thursday directed the schools located on the same road to keep a 15-minute difference in their assembly and dismissal timings.
The directive came after a meeting of Patna DM Sanjay Kumar Agarwal with principals and administrators of more than 150 private schools in the city on Thursday for establishing a congenial educational environment in the state capital.
"At present, the city traffic chokes on several routes as most of the schools have the same assembly and dismissal timings. Such jams also increase the risk of accidents," Agarwal said and added, "It is the responsibility of the school administration to ensure that students reach their home safely after leaving the school campus."
The district administration also plans to use technology and make a WhatsApp group of principals of all private schools in the city through which they will instantaneously receive all important messages. "Schools should also inform parents and children about any important or emergency developments or home assignments via text messages," he added.
With a view to ensuring students' safety, schools have been told to install CCTV cameras at strategic locations on the school campus within 15 days, install GPS on buses and make first-aid and fire extinguisher available on it. "Overloading on school buses will not be tolerated at all. The drivers should also conform to the speed limit of 40 kilometre/hour on flyovers," Agarwal said.
Different schools complained about encroachment by sand-loaded trucks on Bypass Road and vegetable sellers near Digha. The DM ordered the officials concerned to remove the encroachments at the earliest. The district transport officer and Patna traffic SP have also been asked to submit a proposal for smooth vehicular traffic near Notre Dame Academy, Loyola High School, St Michael's High School and St Joseph's Convent High School.
Principals were also encouraged to hold interschool events to develop competitive spirit among students. The district administration will felicitate schools for innovative practices.
Besides constantly updating school websites with information as well as success stories, principals were also told to release exam results online. "Teachers and students should be given disaster management training and regular mock drills for earthquake and fire safety should he held on the school campus," Agarwal said.