Following the tragic death of a five-year-old boy left in a school van, Johor has implemented stringent new safety measures for school vans transporting 10 or more children.
Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin announced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with several key components designed to enhance child safety:
- Driver's Assistant Mandate: Requires a driver's assistant to ensure child safety during pick-up and drop-off.
- Vehicle Checks: Mandates thorough checks of the van before locking, at both school and home.
- Alarm Systems: Some vans are equipped with alarms to alert if a child is left behind.
- Attendance Tracking: Requires recording attendance upon entry and exit, with immediate notification of any issues.
- Driver Requirements: Includes mandatory special safety training and health assessments for drivers.
- Emergency Response Protocols: Outlines procedures for emergencies, urging schools and parents to develop their own.
- Incident Reporting: Encourages schools to report safety incidents to the authorities.
- Scope: Applies to all educational institutions in Johor.
- Formulation & Enforcement: Developed by the Education Department and the Land Public Transport Agency, with implementation and enforcement underway.
This comprehensive SOP aims to prevent similar tragedies and underscores the shared responsibility of schools, van operators, and parents in ensuring the safety and welfare of schoolchildren.
Source: The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/05/23/new-sop-for-school-vans
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