HC notice to CBSE: teachers are not to accompany students in school buses

The Delhi high court issued a notice to the city government and Central board of secondary education (CBSE) on an appeal that teachers will not accompany students in school buses and also not allotted on non-academic work on Monday. A division of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C. Hari Shankar sought a clear response from the central board and Delhi’s Directorate of Education (DoE).

CBSE is the country’s biggest school board. CBSE asked private schools to make sure that their teachers are not hampered with non-teaching duties such as maintaining canteens, ground work, travelling with children, and other activities.

Delhi formulated directives such as “teachers and bus monitors should accompany students in school buses and it is not the domain of the CBSE to issue any directives on this subject”. Harkauli argued that the pursuant to this Supreme Court directives.

The appeal, under the authority of the administrator in the Delhi School Education Act, told that the administration of school and terms of service of teachers doesn’t fail within the domain of the CBSE.

“And in the respective state, the relevant state school education Act applies. The circular suffers from the vice of ‘excessive legislation’ beyond the scope of its authority, the notice added.”

In any event, CBSE does not grant the powers to the Government resolution regarding administrative running schools and service conditions of teachers and safety of children.

And “teachers who are qualified persons to travel in buses for the safety of the students as the children are having trust and confidence in teachers,” added in the rule.

Parents feel confident when CBSE teachers are there on the bus to handle their children and well equipped to deal with emergencies and capable of communicating with parents, school, staff and the local authorities, the plea stated.