The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a safety checklist to school administrators and vehicle operators as schools prepare to reopen for the third term.
In its directive, the authority emphasized that only roadworthy vehicles with valid inspection certificates, active insurance and road service licenses (RSL) should be used to transport learners. Institutions have also been urged to hire qualified and licensed drivers who hold valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges and to closely monitor the conduct of both drivers and conductors.
The checklist further requires all school transport vehicles to be fitted with functional speed governors that transmit data in real time to the Intelligent Road Safety Management System (IRSMS). School buses must also have seatbelts for every passenger, with children required to sit and remain buckled throughout the journey. NTSA warned against overloading and reminded managers that no child should be allowed to hang any part of their body outside a moving vehicle.
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Additionally, administrators must ensure that brakes, tyres, mirrors, lights and other critical components are in proper condition. Drivers and conductors are prohibited from reporting to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and schools are expected to only use certified routes for learner transport.
The directive follows random spot checks carried out by NTSA inspectors on August 15, which revealed widespread safety failures among school vehicles. The checks uncovered non-functional or expired speed limiters, missing seatbelts, broken locks, shaky seats and weak anchoring. Inspectors also noted structural and mechanical faults such as rusted chassis, faulty suspensions and damaged vehicle bodies.
NTSA stressed that the measures are aimed at protecting children on their way to and from school and called on all institutions to strictly follow the guidelines to prevent avoidable accidents.
By Benedict Aoya
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