Muscat – Parents of schoolchildren in Oman lauded the Royal Oman Police (ROP) for its efforts to generate adequate awareness, highlighting the need for a community-wide approach to ensure students’ safety.

With an aim to raise awareness about safe travel of children in school buses, ROP on Monday issued a set of guidelines for parents, drivers and school students.

The new safety guidelines aim to educate students on precautionary measures that they should take while commuting, while explaining the importance of sharing responsibilities by parents and school authorities.

Reacting to this, Abdullah Khalfan, the father of an Omani student from Dawhat Alelm Private School, Amerat, said that he, as a parent feels very relieved with the news on how authorities are sincerely focusing on bus-safety for children in Oman.

“The ROP’s initiative is crucial, but my main concern is whether drivers will be held accountable in critical situations,” he said, raising doubts on drivers’ sincerity in translating these measures into action.

The ROP guidelines advise students to avoid approaching the bus while it is still moving and to remain seated while the bus is in motion. Additionally, students have been urged to be cautious when boarding and deboarding from the bus, and keep waiting until their vehicle comes to a complete stop.

“Many parents are concerned about reckless driving and overcrowding of buses. By adhering to these safety measures, students can play an active role in creating a safer environment for themselves and other road users, reducing the risk of accidents involving schoolchildren.”

Nabeela Asif, a parent of a student from the Indian School Ghubra, also welcomed the new guidelines. But she too is in doubt about their application.

“Ensuring that students and drivers follow them consistently will be challenging,” she underlined. “We, as parents, need to reinforce these safety tips at home. I have prepared my son to remain calm in adverse situations and help himself before assisting others.”

The ROP has advised students to inform their parents if they notice reckless driving or the use of mobile phones by the bus driver.