Training for school bus drivers

KOCHI: With only weeks left for schools to reopen, the district administration and the Motor Vehicles Department have decided to launch a drive to educate the school bus operators on caring children and thereby ensuring safety. The Motor Vehicles Department will impart training to drivers and other staff of school buses next week.Traffic rules, road safety, administration of first-aid are some of the major areas that will be covered under the programme, which would be held at Royal Residency at Kakkanad on May 23.The department has decided to be strict with the training programme.Regional Transport Officer T J Thomas said that tough action would be taken against those who do not undergo the training.Schools that come under the Kanayannur and Aluva taluks are covered under the plan of action. School bus drivers, school officials dealing with buses, drivers of vans and autorickshaws employed to carry students, representatives of Parents- Teachers Associations, attenders, helpers and drivers of other vehicles used to transport students will be given training, Thomas said.The Motor Vehicles Department said that those who want to attend the training session should contact 0484 2422246 before May 22.