Muscat: The Ministry of Education has announced the implementation of more stringent regulations for bus transportation following the resumption of schools next week.
In anticipation of the academic year 2024/2025, the Ministry of Education has prioritized the safety and comfort of students during their commute to and from school.
To enhance the quality and efficiency of school transportation services, the Ministry has concentrated on several key measures. These include the renewal of contracts, the acquisition of new vehicles that adhere to safety standards, and the introduction of training programs for both drivers and students on road safety.
Khamis Al-Hadidi, the Director-General of the Directorate-General of Projects and Services, elaborated on the Ministry's initiatives. He mentioned that committees from various educational departments have been established to review existing school transportation vehicles, leading to the renewal of over 20,000 bus contracts. Additionally, 800 new vehicles have been provided to meet the increasing demand and accommodate the opening of new school buildings, at a cost of OMR 4,800,000.
Al-Hadidi further stated that the Ministry is committed to improving the school transportation service to address challenges that may impact the educational process, aiming for the highest level of student satisfaction. To achieve this, the Ministry has entered into agreements with Karwa Cars Company and the Oman Development Bank to replace outdated school vehicles. A comprehensive plan has been set in place to replace 5,000 school transportation vehicles over a five-year period, with 1,000 vehicles to be replaced during the academic year 2024/2025.
He emphasized that the new vehicles will meet stringent security and safety standards. These include the installation of automatic guidance boards at the bus's rear and sides to indicate when the bus has stopped, air conditioning units, first aid boxes, and advanced tracking, sensing, and monitoring devices. Furthermore, a fire extinguisher will be provided in compliance with traffic safety regulations and the requirements of the Royal Oman Police.
Drivers of these buses will undergo gradual training in preventive driving courses in collaboration with specialized training institutes.
Khamis Al-Hadidi also highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts to train school bus drivers in preventive driving programs. This collaboration with the Traffic Safety Institute and the Oman Oil Development Company aims to equip drivers with the latest driving and safety practices, thereby contributing to the creation of a safe and reliable transportation environment for students.
During the preceding academic year, the Ministry successfully conducted training sessions for 400 drivers, elevating their skills and competencies to bolster safety and security on the roads. This initiative was part of a broader effort to enhance educational standards across the Sultanate of Oman.
Concurrently, the Ministry has embarked on a new academic year with the continuation of the (VIA) program project in collaboration with Shell Oman. This project, which was initiated in four schools during the academic year 2023/2022, is set to expand to 33 schools across various governorates, targeting approximately 1,320 students. The primary objective of this program is to introduce students aged between 10 and 18 years to safe road behaviors, fostering an understanding of the importance of safe road practices and self-protection. This is achieved through interactive sessions, the creation of creative road safety messages, and the development of action plans to implement road safety measures within schools and their surrounding environments.
To successfully realize the goals of this program, the Ministry plans to organize training sessions for teachers and supervisors within the educational directorates across the Sultanate of Oman. These sessions will be facilitated in collaboration with the Royal Oman Police, specifically the Traffic Safety Institutes Department, at the commencement of the first semester of the current academic year.
