District magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal on Thursday asked private schools to reduce the load on students, literally, and update their websites regularly.
"There are CBSE directions saying bags should be light but some schools are not following it," Agarwal said. "Bags should not be heavier than studies."
Representatives of 112 schools attended the meeting where Agarwal stressed on student security before senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaaj, superintendent of police (Central) Chandan Kushwaha and superintendent of police (West) Ravindra Kumar.
Maharaaj asked school managements to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside. "Local police must check bus drivers' criminal antecedents. The driver's contact number must be printed on the bus. It is not possible to do 24-hour patrolling, so CCTVs would be of great help."
"There are issues like installation of GPS in school buses," Agarwal said. "Don't wait for an incident to happen. School security guards must undergo cop training."
He wanted schoolbuses to carry first aid kits and to be parked inside school premises to avoid traffic problems. St Joseph's Convent High School principal Sister Lucina said she couldn't allow buses inside as it would destroy their field. "We can't allow buses to be parked inside and there is no second gate," Lucina said.
"The children are yours, the bus is yours, how can you say it will spoil your field," Agarwal asked. He also asked district transport officials to randomly inspect schoolbuses that carry more children than there are seats.
He suggested that schools start online payment and laid emphasis on food. "Encourage kids to bring homemade food. It is the school's responsibility to ensure junk food is not served in canteens," Agarwal said.
CBSE's regional officer Lakhan Lal Meena asked schools to keep a landline connection, as most school principals do not share their cellphone numbers.
Traffic problems were discussed and some schools gave suggestions too.
Private schools and children welfare association president Syed Shamael Ahamed was also present.
Schools have begun by starting the SMS facility to inform parents about school closure or other emergency situations.
