“The inclusion of all key stakeholders—transport, health, police, and education departments—signifies a holistic, inter-departmental approach that could finally translate policy into real-world protection for our children.”
In a decisive move to safeguard students commuting daily across Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo convened a high-level meeting to review and reform existing traffic regulations. Her proactive approach, especially the directive to install CCTVs in all school buses and enforce routine fitness checks, deserves appreciation—but also demands sustained implementation. The urgency of this meeting is underscored by a troubling increase in road accidents involving educational institutions—an issue recently thrown into sharp focus by the tragic Handwara College bus mishap. In that context, Minister Itoo’s call for departmental inquiry and fresh driving tests for college bus drivers shows a commitment not just to accountability, but to prevention. Her push for joint checking squads, zero tolerance for stunt biking, enforcement of the “No Helmet, No Fuel” rule, and holding parents accountable for juvenile road violations marks a welcome break from the passive, reactive attitude that has often plagued road safety in the Union Territory. The inclusion of all key stakeholders—transport, health, police, and education departments—signifies a holistic, inter-departmental approach that could finally translate policy into real-world protection for our children. That said, enforcement has historically been the Achilles’ heel of such policies. Over the years, numerous road safety guidelines have been issued but seldom monitored consistently. It is imperative that the announced measures—especially regarding school bus inspections, CCTV installation, and safety drills—are not limited to a single compliance drive or media cycle. Instead, they must be institutionalized with timelines, audits, and public reporting. The minister’s decision to enforce a blanket ban on school and college picnics during weekends and holidays has stirred debate. While the intent is clearly rooted in safety concerns and logistical control, such bans also risk curbing important social, emotional, and co-curricular experiences for students.
“The real test lies in how forcefully the government issues orders, but in how faithfully the system executes them. Safety is not an event—it’s a culture. And culture, as we know, takes time, discipline, and constant vigilance to build.”
A more nuanced policy—perhaps regulating the number, frequency, and safety arrangements of such outings—could strike a better balance between safety and student development. Minister Itoo’s comments that “it is our collective responsibility” ring especially true. Schools must go beyond token awareness campaigns and ensure their transport systems are aligned with updated traffic protocols. The police must not just issue challans but take preventive action, particularly in urban pockets where reckless driving is a growing menace. And parents, too, must be active partners—monitoring their children’s behavior, ensuring helmets are worn and discouraging dangerous practices like stunt biking. If the directives from this meeting are followed with the seriousness they deserve, they could mark a turning point in how Jammu and Kashmir prioritizes the safety of its young citizens. But the real test will lie not in how forcefully the government issues orders, but in how faithfully the system executes them. Safety is not an event—it’s a culture. And culture, as we know, takes time, discipline, and constant vigilance to build.
