Safety Guidelines Issued for School Trips in Gujarat

Ahmedabad : To enhance student safety during picnics and educational trips, the Gujarat Education Department has released a comprehensive set of guidelines for schools. This move comes nearly 10 months after the tragic Harni boat capsize incident earlier this year, where 12 students and two teachers drowned, leading to a temporary ban on school picnics.

The guidelines aim to ensure safe and well-managed school trips, especially as schools across Gujarat resume their picnic plans after the Diwali vacation. Schools are now required to follow specific protocols for organising trips, including those within the state, outside Gujarat, and even international excursions.

Key measures include:

Committee Formation: Schools must set up a committee, led by the principal and including parent representatives, to plan trip logistics, routes, and safety measures.

Permission Requirements:

For trips within Gujarat, schools must obtain written permission from the District Education Officer (DEO), District Primary Education Officer (DPEO), or other administrative authorities.

For trips outside the state, approval from the Commissioner of Schools (for Classes 9-12) or Director of Primary Education (for Classes 1-8) is mandatory.

International trips require schools to inform the Education Department 15 days in advance with all necessary travel details.

Safety Protocols:

Schools must notify the local police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) 15 days before any trip.

An experienced person must be appointed to oversee trip management, and a ratio of one teacher per 15 students is mandatory, with female staff accompanying female students.

Vehicles used for trips must be equipped with GPS tracking, fire safety equipment, and follow RTO permit rules regarding passenger limits.

Activities in water bodies are discouraged, and if boating is unavoidable, strict adherence to boat capacity and provision of life jackets is required.

Parental Consent and Transparency:

Written consent from parents is compulsory, and participation must be optional without any pressure on students or parents.

Transparent financial records must be maintained, and trip destinations should be chosen after checking weather updates.

Prohibited Items: Students, staff, and drivers are strictly forbidden from carrying or consuming intoxicants or prohibited materials during the trip.

While schools welcomed the initiative, some raised concerns about the time taken to finalize the guidelines. Additionally, clarity on penalties for non-compliance is still awaited, prompting calls for more stringent measures to ensure adherence. The Education Department aims to make school trips safer and better managed, learning from past incidents to avoid future tragedies.