Summary:
The state government has also banned the plying of school buses used for picnics, or study tours, from plying between 11 pm and 6 am. The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday sought a reply from the state home, education, transport, and tourism department after public interest litigation (PIL) questioning the safety of students during educational tours in the absence of proper guidelines came up for hearing. He has requested the court to issue directions making it compulsory for educational institutions to seek permission from various state authorities before such a tour is organised. However, the educational institutes are not bothered about the same and the tours are organised in a haphazard manner. According to the petitioner, various educational institutions, including coaching classes, organise picnics or study tours for their students, but in the absence of proper guidelines, they do not seek any permission from concerned authorities before organising such tours..