The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has issued guidelines for school bus drivers in preparation for the new academic year that started Sunday. The ministry has also provided several tips for students and parents to ensure safety.

The ministry said school bus drivers should be extra cautious while transporting children to and from the school.The guidelines were shared on the ministry's Facebook page.

Similarly, school authorities will have to make sure that the bus drivers are cautious, accountable and competent enough to drive school buses. They must also ensure that the bus drivers undergo regular training programmes on safety.

The drivers have been advised to strictly follow a set of guidelines issued by the ministry. The MoI has asked the drivers to do a pre-trip inspection prior to every run to check for any mechanical defects that could jeopardise safety. They must make sure that the bus doors are closed firmly before moving.

The drivers must also prevent children from standing while the bus is in motion. They should make sure that the children getting off the bus are at a place of safety before moving on.

Also, the drivers must make sure that no child is left in the bus after all the students are dropped off at school or home. They must also ensure kids maintain discipline while in the bus.

Tips for parents

The MoI suggests that the parents and students should make it a habit to arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.

They should stay out of the street and avoid excessive horseplay while waiting for the bus. They must also wait for the bus to completely stop before approaching it.

The parents have been asked to make sure that when riding the bus, the children must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times.

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