A serious concern has been raised regarding the safety and transportation arrangements for students of KV ASC Centre, Richmond Road, Bengaluru, following an incident on 7 August 2026 involving School Bus No. 5.
Students attended school as usual and were expected to return home by the designated school bus. The bus normally reaches the bus stand at around 3:30 PM. However, on this particular day, the bus reportedly did not arrive at the school to pick up the students for their return journey.
As the children failed to reach the bus stand or their homes at the expected time, anxious parents began seeking information through the school bus WhatsApp group. However, according to the parents, there was no timely response to their calls or messages from the class teacher or the teacher responsible for coordinating the bus arrangements.
The situation became particularly concerning when one minor student was left to find an alternative way home. The child managed to obtain some cash from a security guard at the school and travelled by public transport in the rain. After reaching the bus stand much later than usual, he had to arrange another mode of transport because his home was approximately 7 km away. He finally reached home at around 5:40 PM.
The incident raises serious questions about student safety and emergency preparedness.
Who takes responsibility when a school bus fails to arrive? Is there a proper backup plan to ensure that every minor student reaches home safely? What arrangements are available for younger children or girl students who may not be able to navigate public transportation independently?
Parents are also concerned because students are generally not expected to carry mobile phones or cash during school hours. In such circumstances, how are children expected to arrange their own transportation?
A later communication from the concerned teacher reportedly explained the reasons for the bus failure. However, parents believe that an explanation after the incident cannot replace a proper emergency response.
Student safety must be the first priority. Parents expect the school authorities to establish clear accountability, timely communication and a reliable contingency plan for transportation emergencies.
The key question remains: Who is accountable for the safety of minor students when such an incident occurs?
