Since there is a steep rise in statistical figures on violence related to children travelling in school bus, it is important to take preventive measures to reduce such incidents. As educators, school managements, parents and the public are striving to accomplish the task, there is an ever increasing need for a pertinent solution.
Reinforcement of positive school bus behaviour should not be confined within children. It should be extended and implemented among bus drivers, attendants and other supporting staff assisting the children in school buses.
1. Educate the children
Of course, the first and foremost step is educating children on the benefits of keeping discipline and morale inside the school bus. Teach them about the need to keep discipline in school buses. Ensure that they form and keep queue when boarding and alighting the buses. Instruct children to carry their RFID tags if provided by the school authorities. Educate them to differentiate between good and bad touch and how to seek help when needed. In simple terms, safety education should be a part of the curriculum even from lower grades.
2. Install CCTV cameras in school bus
Technological advances are useful in ensuring safety of children. For example, CCTV cameras can be installed in school buses to monitor the behaviour of children and other staff in school bus both real time as well as later. Uncompromising action should be taken if any inappropriate behaviour is noticed. However, for this to be effective, regular monitoring of picture, live videos, cameras and their maintenance is essential.
3. Monitor the behaviour
As specified above, having a team dedicated for monitoring will help to ensure the safety of the kids. Careful observation can reveal many negative traits in kids such as the tendency to bully others. Usually those who are bullies tend to keep a low profile when the elders, parents or teachers are around and act only when the victim is in isolation. Most of the time, victims’ complaints get ignored or are threatened to be silent. CCTV cameras when installed in school buses can reveal such incidents with ease and help school authorities to sort out the issues with proper psychological counselling.
4. Random check and sudden inspections
Instead of resorting only on technological innovations, conduct random physical checks and inspections once in a while to ensure that mishaps do not occur. Such inspection can keep the employee morale and the confidence of children besides encouraging them to keep the discipline.
5. Tutor assistance in school buses
Some schools insist on tutors assisting the children on their travel via school bus. It is indeed an effective method and can have a positive impact on discipline as well as create a sense of security among children.
6. Identify leaders and assign responsibilities
Alternatively, in cases where tutor assistance is practically not feasible, selecting bus leaders among children and assigning them responsibility can help to identify the red flags with ease. However, the teaching staff and the management should have an authority over the reporting so that such leadership responsibilities are not being misused.
7. Have an emergency phone in bus
Most of the GPS enabled fleet management services have SOS facilities to be used in case of emergency. However, this is mainly for the safety of drivers and not for the children. It is inbuilt into the GPS device which is kept near the driver for tracking the vehicle making it inaccessible to the children. An emergency phone can be kept separately for children to access easily. They should be taught the helpline number. Displaying it in school premises and in buses in suitable format can help.
8. Install GPS vehicle tracking system
A GPS vehicle tracking device allows you to track the school bus in the real time and take appropriate action if any deviation or delay is noticed. GPS systems with SMS or PUSH facilities allow you to send location information to parents and educators on selected points on its route of travel or at appropriate periodic intervals.
9. Provide RFID tags
GPS systems can identify the location of the bus, whereas the RFID tags can track the individual children. RFID readers can read and send the information to the concerned authorities and ensure safety.
These are some tips to cultivate positive school bus behaviour in children. Do you have any suggestions to add? If yes, please share with us in the comment section.