A discussion on regulating school student transport services was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office today (09 Feb).

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education participated in the discussion.

The authority for regulating school student transport has been vested with the National Transport Commission, and as the relevant draft of regulations has already been prepared, discussions were held on the provisions contained in these drafts as well as on new proposals that should be incorporated.

During the discussion, the attention was focused on meeting the emerging needs of transportation arising from the schools, minimizing issues encountered in the transportation of school students by establishing an organized transport mechanism, and deploying the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in a more efficient and effective manner followed by the new educational reforms process.

Discussions were also held on introducing laws and regulations to systematize the transportation of schoolchildren, prioritizing child protection by preventing reported incidents of abuse and harassment during student transport, and enhancing professionalism among school transport service providers to ensure a responsible and accountable service.

The focus was also emphasized on the need for coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority.

The discussion was attended by the Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, officials of the National Transport Commission, and officials from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. (Newswire)

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Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake has announced that CCTV systems will be made mandatory for school transport vans, as part of a broader effort to improve safety and discipline in public transport.

Addressing Parliament today, he stated that harassment against women and children in transport settings has increased, and that the government is taking steps to minimize such incidents.

He further revealed that a set of guidelines for school and office transport services will be introduced starting in January.

“The only real solution is to empower passengers. If anyone attempts to harass a woman or a child, we need people who will not look away, but people who will take action. Whether male or female, we need that courage,” he said.

He acknowledged that due to certain toxic conditions in the bus industry, many people are afraid to speak up for others.

“That’s why we must professionalize the bus industry. We must also elevate the three-wheeler industry to a professional level. I believe our effort is to move the orange zone away from red and toward green,” he added. (Newswire)

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