Parents on bus duty: Direct school to withdraw order, parents request edu secy

The circular stated that either of the parent will have to accompany their wards on the school bus. (Source: Express Archives)

Acting against a recent order of parents on bus duty issued by Vivek High School, Sector 38, the Chandigarh Parents’ Association on Friday submitted a complaint to the education secretary requesting him to direct the school to withdraw the order.

In the complaint, Nitin Goyal, president, Chandigarh Parents’ Association, stated: “We find it insane and atrocious. If this circular is allowed to sustain, in future, they may like to outsource other duties to parents like guarding washroom on roaster basis or may be attend classes with children. They might also ask parents to be a part of school cleaners community under the name of hygiene drive.”

The association further said introducing such ideas is going to add to the woes of parents as they also have work and businesses to look after. “Had the parents been that free why would they hire expensive school transport. We would have appreciated that if instead of acting as parents’ employers, schools invited parents to voluntarily check security arrangements inside the campus and buses,” Goyal said, adding that the school could share the CCTV footage of the school buses online to enable parents to keep a check.

The association further said when the school management could not ensure safety of children under the supervision of driver, conductor and a lady attendant and wanted parents to accompany, how would they ensure the safety when there are security personnel, housekeeping on the school campus.

Education Secretary B L Sharma said: “ I agree the idea is weird. I will be calling a representative of the school and look into what can be done.” H S Mamik, chairman, Vivek High School, said people who have made a complaint are not his the parents of the school children. “Who are these parents? Not even a single parent in this association belongs to our school. Rather we have got really good response from parents of our school except requests from some doctor couples.”

He further said: “ What is our intent in this? Only the safety of the child. When schools in Delhi are implementing it, why these people are having a problem in that. Only four to five days in a year they have been asked for. We never asked for parents duty for 40 days in a year.”

What the order states?

Vivek High School issued a circular wherein either of the parent will have to accompany their wards on the school bus during the morning and return trip. The orders would be implemented from October 3. Roster regarding duties of the parents will be released soon. If a parent is not able to do the bus duty on a particular day, he will have to exchange it with other parent and inform the school two days in advance. Only the father or mother would be permitted to do the duty.