Steps to prevent child abuse in school vans

by Anushka Nanayakkara

The Ministry of Child Development and Women Empowerment has taken steps to prevent child abuse in vehicles transporting children to schools. The Ministry plans to formulate policies and introduce standards for vehicles transporting children and implement training programmes to protect children under this project.

The Minister of Child Development and Women Empowerment Sumedha G. Jayasena said that laws on registering school transport vehicles have been introduced under the Road Passenger Transport Authority by the Central Provincial Council. A sticker will be introduced after registering the vehicles to identify them easily. Methods to identify parking slots for these vehicles and registering the vehicles were the main issues that were highlighted.

The Chairman of the Child Protection Authority Jagath Wellawatta said that parents, children, vehicle owners, drivers and principals should be trained on how to prevent children from child abuse on a national scale.

He also requested the help of all related institutions. Ministry Secretary Indrani Sugathadasa said officers of the Child Protection Authority (CPA), and the members of The Sahana Development Bank are welcome to offer their services to the Ministry or the Divisional Secretariat.