Using the school bus for student transportation is one of the most affordable ways to get children to and from school safely. It saves parents time and is a key factor many consider when selecting a school for their children. However, school transport has its fair share of challenges.

School Transport Stakeholders

Successful school transport requires cooperation from all stakeholders. They include:

• The school administration: Provides and manages the school bus transport service.
• The drivers: Responsible for driving the buses or vans safely.
• Bus agents or minders: Handle student pick-up and drop-off.
• Parents or guardians: Custodians of the children, responsible for reinforcing rules and handling the communication.
• Students: The primary users or clients of the service.

These five key actors must work together to ensure safe and efficient school transport.

Safety and Discipline Issues in School Transport

Safety and discipline issues are not uncommon in school transport. Many schools face challenges related to negligence or ignorance from one or more stakeholders, jeopardizing the safety and efficiency of the system. Common issues include:

• Cases of pupil indiscipline: Indiscipline on the bus can disrupt the journey and create unsafe conditions.
• Student lateness: Delays caused by late students can affect the entire schedule.
• Disorderliness inside the bus: This includes noise-making, improper seating, sticking heads out of windows, fights, and rude talk.
• Rude students: Disrespectful behaviour towards drivers and monitors.

Ways to Resolve Indiscipline Issues

The following  are practical ways stakeholders can implement to resolve indiscipline issues

1. Implement clear rules and expectations: Establish clear, age-appropriate rules for behaviour on the bus.
2. Sensitize students and parents: Ensure that students and parents are aware of these rules through handouts, meetings, and reminders.
3. Communicate with parents in advance: Keep parents informed about their children’s behaviour and enlist their support in reinforcing rules.
4. Train bus drivers and monitors: Provide comprehensive training for bus drivers and monitors on managing student behaviour, handling emergencies, and ensuring safety protocols are followed.
5. Designate seats: Assign seats to students to minimize conflicts ensure orderly boarding and disembarking and aid in easy addressing of issues
6. Use surveillance cameras: Install surveillance cameras on buses to monitor student behaviour and provide a deterrent against misbehaviour. This footage can also be useful in resolving disputes or incidents.
7. Promote Positive Behavior: Implement a reward system to encourage and recognize good behaviour on the bus.
8. Regular safety drills: From time to time, conduct safety drills to prepare students for emergencies such as accidents or evacuations. Ensure students understand the importance of these drills and take them seriously.
9. Speak firmly: For the agents and transport app managers, by giving clear and firm instructions order is maintained and any misbehavior is addressed.
10. Escalate with the management: If problems persist, involve the school administration to take appropriate action and support bus drivers and bus agents.
11. Parental involvement: Engage parents in discussions about bus safety and behaviour expectations. Encourage them to reinforce these rules at home and communicate any concerns to the school.
12. Effective communication: Maintain open lines of communication between the school, bus drivers, and parents. Use apps or platforms to update parents about bus schedules, delays, or any incidents.
13. Student School Bus Monitors: Appoint responsible students as bus monitors to assist the driver in maintaining order and reporting any issues. This promotes a sense of responsibility among students.
14. Regular Maintenance and Checks: Ensure that buses are regularly maintained and checked for safety issues. Proper functioning of seat belts, emergency exits, and other safety features is essential.

By implementing these strategies, schools can create a safer and more disciplined environment on school buses, ensuring a secure and pleasant journey for all students. Technology can help ease some of these challenges through automation and better communication with stakeholders. The Bunifu Go School Transport app is an effective tool that can help schools run orderly, efficient and accountable school transport. If you would like to learn more, talk to us today!