Regulations to Be Tightened for School Excursions

After the June 9 accident during the school excursion in Georgia, which left 4 dead and 21 people injured, the government decided to tighten regulations regarding school excursions and the transportation of children.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Lia Gigauri, said that excursions are of great educational importance. In this regard, the programs will continue, but safety norms will be tightened.

According to the new approach, the school will be required to request from the driver documents certifying the driver's qualification and technical qualifications of the vehicle.

In addition, if an excursion is organized by an educational institution or at the initiative of the parents, it will be necessary for the school to be informed about the excursion. It is also necessary to include an adult in the group who has undergone a first aid medical course.

One child and three adults died in the June 9 excursion organized by a Tbilisi Public school. 16 of the total 21 injured were children.

An investigation is underway under Part 7 of Article 276 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, involving violation of traffic safety rules or rules for operating resulting in the death of two or more persons.

The crime envisages imprisonment for 6-10 years. The driver of the minibus has been detained.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: N17 Public School

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4 Dead, 21 Hospitalized After School Excursion Minibus Crash in Georgia