Several schools are speaking with parents who use two-wheelers to drop
their children at school and pick them up after classes about the need to wear
helmets.

The schools felt the need to caution parents in the wake of recent accidents where children have died or have been seriously injured.

Mahadevi Birla World Academy, Loreto Day School Elliot Road and Swarnim International School, for example, addressed parents during the orientation held at the beginning of the academic session. Sri Sri Academy is sending out messages to parents.

According to a teacher, the parents using two-wheelers are often seen riding without helmets. Even if the adults are wearing one, the kids in most cases are without helmets.

“In the wake of recent accidents where children were involved we implored parents to be cautious and conscious of the dangers on the road,” said Nupur Ghosh, vice-principal, Mahadevi Birla World Academy.

At least a dozen crashes have been reported in the recent past where children fell victim either to rash driving by other motorists or because of their guardians who did not follow traffic rules. “When asked about helmets, most often the children say that they do not have one. It is therefore important that we address parents directly,” said a teacher at Mahadevi Birla World Academy.

Ghosh addressed all parents from Nursery to Class V during the orientation, in phases.

At Loreto Day School Elliot Road the principal addressed the parents up to Class II recently. “We told parents that even if their house is close to the school, they and their children should wear helmets. Parents have to understand the seriousness and the risk of a head injury,” said Jessica Gomes Surana, principal, Loreto Day School Elliot Road.

At Swarnim International School, the session with parents will be followed up by checks by students outside the school campus.

The school had conducted such a campaign in the last academic session as well.

“When children tell adults to stop, it is more effective,” said Rumjhumi Biswas, principal of the school.

At Sri Sri Academy, students also come to school on bicycles and the school has urged them to wear helmets.

“We keep sending messages to parents about wearing helmets,” said Gargi Banerjee, principal.