Sudden GPS rule enforcement leaves students, parents & school management in chaos over transport disruptions

• Supply shortages hinder GPS, CCTV compliance: PSAJK President urges extension of GPS mandate deadline

SRINAGAR: In the aftermath of the tragic road accident in North Kashmir's Handwara, the sudden enforcement of a government directive mandating the installation of GPS devices and surveillance cameras in school buses has caused major disruptions to school transport services across the Kashmir Valley. Over the past few days, dozens of school buses have been seized by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and traffic authorities for non-compliance, leaving children stranded for hours and triggering panic among parents.

In several instances, young children reached home as late as 8:00 PM, sparking outrage from both parents and school management. Parents argue that the directive has been implemented without adequate planning or a grace period.  "My child studies in Class 2nd and reached home at 7 PM," said Syed Barkiya, a concerned parent. "We were extremely worried. The children were stuck inside vehicles.

Such sudden implementation without giving schools any time to prepare is unfair. Directions are issued overnight, and action follows the very next day no one considers the logistics. This is not only stressful for us as parents but also physically exhausting for the children."

While safety remains a top priority, stakeholders are questioning the rushed timeline and the burden placed on already struggling schools and families. Muzaffar Ahmad, another parent, said, “We spoke to school authorities who told us that only a few vendors have been approved by the government and even they are facing supply shortages. How can thousands of schools get these devices installed overnight? This seems more like a crackdown than a safety measure. Our small childrens from LKG to Class 7th—were stuck for hours. This is not how safety regulations should be implemented.”

According to school authorities, many institutions have already installed the GPS and CCTV cameras and others are willing to comply with the government’s order. However, they are facing a serious logistical hurdle: the unavailability of certified vendors and a limited supply of the required GPS devices.

President of the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), G.N. Var, called the situation deeply concerning. “Surprisingly, the way school buses were intercepted and halted for hours is unacceptable. The sudden enforcement has led to unnecessary anxiety and inconvenience for parents, children and schools alike. If the government has issued such directives, it must also ensure proper infrastructure and market availability. We urge the authorities to extend the implementation deadline and provide schools with a timeline. Unfortunately, children are currently bearing the burden of this gap in policy planning."

He further said, "Schools that charge low fees can't handle the sudden financial pressure of such changes. The government should have announced this decision before the winter break, so schools had enough time to get ready and follow the rules."

Parents and school management earnestly appeal to the J&K government to adopt a practical and student-friendly approach, one that ensures the safety of children without disrupting their daily routine and well-being. They request  reconsideration of the current deadline, the setup of a reliable supply system and a collaborative plan for implementing future safety measures in partnership with schools.