Bhubaneswar: Students of schools in the State will no longer be allowed to ride bikes to reach their schools as the Odisha higher secondary education has restricted underage students from driving motorised vehicles.
A decision in this effect was taken in the State Road Safety Council meeting recently. The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education has written to the principals of all higher secondary schools of the State in this regard.
School principals have been asked to make sure that underage students should not drive motorised vehicles to reach schools. They have also been directed to ensure strict implementation of the school bus policy.
“Three-wheeler should not carry more school students than prescribed limits and abide by the rules of road safety as prescribed by the state road safety council,” the letter read.
The higher education department has asked the school principals to take action on the road safety issues in letter and spirit. In case of any deviation in the matter, the school headmasters have been asked to bring it to the notice of local RTO.
Speaking about the directive, educationist Pritish Acharya said, “It is a welcome step as riding of motorised vehicles by underage children is risky. I think students would not face any problem while going to schools by other means of transport. Often we see students use bikes to show-off which affect their study.”
“Riding motorcycles to schools also sometimes create discrimination between the students who have bikes and those who do not have. It adversely affects their study. Not only the government, parents of students should also ensure that children below 18 years do not ride bikes because if they do not cooperate, the rules cannot be implemented,” he added.