Unsafe school commute endangers children

The lack of school transport in Punjab is becoming a serious issue, as a large number of public and private educational institutions still fail to provide buses for students. Despite clear orders from the Lahore High Court directing schools to arrange transport to ensure safe travel for children, the ground reality remains quite the opposite.

Citizens and parents have expressed serious concern over the situation. Parents from different areas say their children travel to school daily in unsafe vehicles such as rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws, vans, and pickup trucks, where not only are children overcrowded, but safety measures are almost non-existent.

A local, Muhammad Ejaz, shared, “We live in constant fear that something might happen to our children. Eight to ten children are crammed into rickshaws, with no seat belts and no accountability. Both the government and schools are neglecting this issue.”

Similarly, a mother, Salma Bibi, shared that she was compelled to send her children in private vans. “We want schools to provide buses so children can travel safely, but no one is listening. Fees keep increasing, but facilities are not provided.” She added that whenever petrol and diesel prices rise, transporters further increase fares.

Students have also expressed dissatisfaction. One student said, “In every season—heat, cold, or rain—we have to travel in these unsafe vehicles. We are often late, which affects our studies.”

Education experts say school transport is no longer just a facility but a basic necessity. They believe that if the government takes serious steps and formulates a clear policy, it can not only improve student safety but also reduce traffic problems.

Punjab Teachers Union General Secretary Rana Liaqat Ali revealed that most government schools are located in low-income areas where children either walk or are dropped off on motorcycles by their parents. "The government had instructed private schools two years ago to arrange buses, but no one complied. Children travel like livestock—many come in motorcycle rickshaws, while some even ride on bus rooftops. Precious lives are being lost, yet rickshaws and pickups continue using substandard LPG cylinders,” said Ali.

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Sources revealed that the Education Department has shown little seriousness on the matter and has not established any proper monitoring system to regulate vehicle conditions or the number of children allowed per vehicle. There are no clear rules in place. Government schools do not have their own buses, and private schools have also failed to adopt any proper transport policy. However, the Lahore High Court has directed schools to arrange buses to reduce traffic and ensure student safety during travel.

Environmental experts have also highlighted the issue in the context of smog. They say an effective school bus system could significantly reduce the number of private vehicles, thereby lowering air pollution. “One school bus can replace dozens of vehicles, but this issue is being ignored,” stated Naseemur Rehman, Former Director of the Environment Department.

Citizens have demanded that the Punjab government and Education Department immediately implement the Lahore High Court’s orders, make it mandatory for schools to provide transport, and set clear regulations for private transport operators.

Parents warned that if immediate action is not taken, the issue could have devastating consequences. They urged the government to prioritize children’s safety and find a permanent solution so that students can study in a secure environment and parents’ trust can be restored.