THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Department of Public Education has tightened guidelines for schools to organize study tours In the wake of the Vadakancherry bus accident. The circular, which specifies the guidelines regarding the vehicles to be used for study trips, has 27 instructions. It states that trips after 10 pm and before 5 am should be completely avoided.

Only vehicles complying with the standards prescribed by the Transport Department should be used for the journey. The schools should appoint government-approved tour operators for the study tours. The list of tour operators approved by the Department of Tourism is available on the website of the Department of Tourism.

The tour party should strictly follow traffic rules on the journey. The school authorities should verify the documents of vehicle fitness, registration certificate and driving license before departure. The Education Department also directed that if there are any complaints about the behaviour of the driver, the school authorities should inform the Regional Transport Officer after the journey.