Nagpur, India: Following the tragic bus accident during a school picnic, the Nagpur Zilla Parishad has implemented new safety guidelines for school trips. The Education Department (Primary and Middle Schools) issued the circular in response to the incident involving Saraswati Vidyalaya on Tuesday, where it was discovered that the private bus used lacked the required permit.

The circular, signed by Education Officers Siddheshwar Kaluse (Primary) and Rohini Kumbhar (Secondary), lists 28 mandatory points that schools must follow when organizing educational tours. These guidelines are designed to ensure student safety and accountability.

Key Guidelines for School Trips:

1. Mandatory MSRTC Buses: Schools must use buses operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for all trips.
2. Parental Consent: Participation in school trips is voluntary, and students must have written consent from parents to attend.
3. Responsibility for Incidents: If any untoward incident occurs, the teacher and headmaster will be held responsible.
4. Approval from School Management: Before organizing a trip, the School Management Committee's approval is now required.
5. Teacher-to-Student Ratio: For every 10 students, one teacher must accompany the group. If the trip includes female students, a female teacher must be present.
6. First Aid and Emergency Contacts: A first aid kit must be carried, and teachers should have contact details of the nearest government hospital.
7. Avoid Night Travel: To minimize risks, night travel should be avoided.
8. Pre-Trip Safety Briefing: Two teachers trained in first aid should brief the students on safety measures and emergency procedures before the trip.
9. No Prohibited Items: Schools must ensure that students do not carry intoxicating or prohibited substances.
10. Limit Expensive Trips: The guidelines advise schools to avoid organizing costly educational tours.
11. Written Permission: The headmaster must provide written permission on a Rs. 100 stamp paper for the tour.

The guidelines have been circulated to all schools in the district, emphasizing safety and proper planning for educational trips to prevent future tragedies.