Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a move to strengthen child safety measures, the Directorate of Education has issued a directive making police verification mandatory for all drivers and helpers involved in the transportation of school children across Goa.
The circular, issued by Director of Education Shailesh R. Sinai Zingde, applies to all government, aided, and unaided schools, including those operating Balrath and other school transport vehicles.
According to the directive, no driver or helper will be allowed to transport students without a valid police verification certificate.
Schools are also required to maintain records of verification and produce them for inspection whenever required.
Police verification must be renewed periodically and obtained afresh in case of new appointments or replacements of transport staff.
The circular emphasizes that the responsibility for strict compliance lies with the Head of the Institution and the School Management. Any lapses in adherence to these safety norms will be treated seriously.
This move follows guidelines issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of children during school commutes.
