Johor: New Guidelines Set After School Van Tragedy

A five-year-old boy tragically died after being left behind in a school van in Johor last month. In response, the state government has introduced new guidelines to prevent a repeat.

The guidelines were developed through a joint effort between the Johor Education Department and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). They aim to improve safety for children using school transport services.

According to Aznan Tamin, chairman of the Johor education and information committee, the new standard operating procedures (SOP) cover several key areas. These include the management of school van and bus drivers, vehicle licensing, inspections, maintenance, monitoring of child safety, attendance, and emergency response.

One important rule requires that any school van carrying more than 10 children must have an assistant. This assistant will be responsible for ensuring that all children get in and out of the van safely.

In addition, all licensed school bus and van drivers must undergo special training. This training includes child safety, road safety, emergency aid procedures, and mental and physical health assessments.

Aznan announced these new rules during a state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar on May 22. He was responding to a question from Wong Bor Yang, who asked about steps taken to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Aznan also mentioned that the SOP has already been put into effect and that enforcement of the rules will begin soon.

The incident happened on April 30. The boy was left in the van after the driver dropped off other children at a kindergarten in Taman Bukit Indah around 7:30 a.m. He was found unconscious around noon and was later confirmed dead at the hospital.

The 56-year-old van driver was charged in the Sessions Court on May 7 with negligence that allegedly led to the child’s death.

Source: The Star