Following court’s order: Private schools ordered to arrange buses for 50pc students by Oct 1

LAHORE:Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Secretary of the District Registering Authority/District Education Authority (DEA) Lahore has directed the leading private schools of the provincial metropolis to provide transportation for 50pc of their students by October 1, 2024 warning that failure to comply with these directions will result in strict action under the prevailing rules.

A meeting of the District Registering Authority Lahore was held on September 11 to discuss the implementation of an order of the Lahore High Court regarding provision of transport by private schools for 50pc of their students.

As per the letters, addressed to the owners/principals of the leading private schools, the meeting resolved that the directions of the Lahore High Court must be implemented in full, and schools are required to follow guidelines which include that all private schools must arrange or hire buses for at least 50pc of their total student enrolment. Schools can either arrange or hire buses or coaches for transportation, and they must share the bus route plans with parents. All vehicles should be well-maintained, have valid fitness certificates from the relevant authority, and undergo inspection before departure, including checks on fuel, tire pressure, and brakes.

Drivers must hold valid driving licences, be medically and physically fit, and provide their CNIC, contact information, and address to the school. The number of students in the vehicle must not exceed its seating capacity, and overloading is strictly prohibited. A teacher or an Aya must accompany students in the vehicle to monitor the driver and ensure safe driving. Drivers are required to follow the prescribed speed limits at all times. The letters also made it clear that a school's registration or extension will depend on submitting an undertaking confirming the arrangement of buses. These directives are to be fully implemented by October 1, 2024.

Sources in the School Education Department Punjab said that similarly all the District Registering Authority/District Education Authority in each district of the Punjab province will issue these letters to private schools of their districts for the implementation of the LHC order.