Muscat – Citizens and experts have called for tougher measures in the sultanate after a video of a student falling from a school bus in Dakhliyah went viral on social media.

A statement issued by the governorate’s Directorate General of Education said the incident of a student falling from a running school bus belonging to a school under the Directorate of Education is being investigated and that the student is in stable condition.

‘The directorate is taking measures in cooperation with the relevant authorities to ensure that such incidents don’t repeat and calls on school bus drivers to ensure the safety of students.’

On September 4, the first day of the 2022-23 academic year, a student in Mabela died when a speeding car hit her as she was getting off a school bus.

The video of the incident on Monday sparked strong reactions with calls to find a way to put an end to accidents involving school buses.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Ali al Barwani, former CEO of Oman Road Safety Association, said, “The student transportation system – including drivers, passengers and the bus itself – needs to be completely reviewed. The concerned authorities should conduct workshops to train school bus drivers. The Ministry of Education should provide surveillance cameras in each bus to monitor students in them, as well as when they get on and off the bus.”

Sultan al Rawahi, a security and safety expert, said, “We should not always blame the bus driver. The Ministry of Education should employ a special supervisor in every bus for the safety of children of public and private schools to prevent such incidents from recurring.”

Hamad al Awfi, a resident of Dakhliyah, said, “We hope there is strict action against any bus driver who does not care about the safety of students.”

Another Dakhliyah resident Mohammed al Harassi said these incidents call for a thorough review of the school transport system. “We must start with the driver – their safety requirements, their training, the maximum capacity of students allowed, etc.”

Demanding punishment for whoever was responsible for the incident on Monday, Dakhliyah resident Bader Mohammed said, “This is inexcusable negligence. The safety of our children is the responsibility of the school for the time the children are with them.”

Appalled that school bus accidents continue, Khalifa Mubarak, a citizen, said, “We should not blame the bus driver alone. All safety measures must be reviewed. Why are buses allowed to carry more students than the legally allowed number?

Royal Oman Police arrested the school bus driver following the incident on Monday and legal procedures are being completed against him.