School bus policy: Punjab takes bold initiative to combat smog

LAHORE: In a determined effort to combat the prevailing smog crisis, the Punjab government has taken a significant step by overhauling the transport policy of private schools.

Under the revamped guidelines, private educational institutions are now obligated to provide transportation for a substantial 60 percent of their student population.

The new mandate stipulates that private schools must acquire their own fleet of school buses at any cost, marking a departure from the previous practice where a significant portion of students relied on private vehicles for commuting.

This stringent measure aims to mitigate the environmental impact of individual transport choices and curtail the alarming levels of smog in the region.

The Education Authority in Lahore has issued a directive, emphasising the compulsory acquisition of school buses by private institutions, with schools being expressly required to transport 60 percent of their students exclusively through the school-provided buses. The directive further underscores the gravity of compliance, threatening punitive action against schools found in violation of the order.

In a bid to ensure adherence to the directive, the Education Authority has also mandated private schools to procure buses and submit relevant certificates as proof of compliance.

This meticulous oversight underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing the new transport policy and fostering a collective responsibility among educational institutions.

It is noteworthy that, currently, a significant percentage of students in private schools rely on their own transportation, with 60-80% using private vehicles and 30-40% availing themselves of private van services.

Lahore’s battle with intense smog continues

Initially, this transformative policy will be targeted at prominent school franchises, setting the stage for broader implementation across the educational landscape in the future.

As Punjab takes this bold step in reshaping the transport dynamics of private schools, the move reflects a proactive approach in tackling environmental challenges and underscores the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices within the education sector.