In a decisive move to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of students, the Department of School Education and Literacy in Karnataka has issued a stringent set of directives for all annual educational tours conducted by schools across the state. This action follows past incidents where lapses in safety protocols led to unfortunate events.
Key Directives from the Education Department
GS Shashidhar, the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) for Dakshina Kannada, emphasized that the primary aim is to guarantee student safety during travel. A detailed circular outlining the mandatory guidelines has been dispatched to all schools.
The department has placed the complete onus for student safety on the schools, clarifying that it will not provide any facilities for these tours. School management, School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs), teachers, and officials have been instructed to adhere strictly to the established rules.
Mandatory Safety and Logistical Protocols
The comprehensive guidelines include several critical points:
- All educational tours must be concluded before the end of December. Tours are strictly prohibited post-December to prioritize academic activities.
- Only students with explicit written parental consent are permitted to travel.
- The tours must have a clear educational objective that aligns with the students' curriculum.
- Private schools must ensure their recognition is valid and up-to-date for the current academic year.
- To maintain academic integrity, if a tour is conducted on a weekday, the school must compensate by holding full-day classes on subsequent weekends.
Transport and Supervision Rules
In one of the most significant safety measures, transportation for these tours is restricted exclusively to buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) or the state tourism department. The use of unauthorized private or mini buses is strictly banned.
Furthermore, schools are required to notify the nearest Regional Transport Office (RTO) at least one week before any trip, a step aimed at curbing unsafe practices. For the supervision of girl students, the directive mandates that women teachers must accompany them during the trips.
Ground Realities and Challenges in Implementation
While schools in districts like Dakshina Kannada generally comply with the rules, practical challenges have emerged. School heads report a noticeable reluctance among students to travel in KSRTC buses. Additionally, there is a lack of interest in visiting purely educational or historical sites.
One school head shared a telling example: "We initially planned an educational tour to historical places in Vijayapura and nearby districts, but not a single student registered. It was only when we changed the destination to Mysuru, including a visit to a waterpark, that all of them signed up." This highlights the ongoing struggle to balance safety, educational value, and student engagement.
The department's stern directive underscores a renewed focus on preventing tragedies and ensuring that the annual tradition of school tours is conducted within a robust framework of safety and accountability.
