Nasese Buses Limited manager Nitesh Prasad shows the damage on the side panel and the missing rear sreen allegedly damaged by some students. Photo: Setilita Bolanavanua.
This is an edited version of Nemani Delaibatiki’s My Say in the FBC TV programme, 4 The Record last night
Students’ hooliganism on school buses has gone too far. It must stop.
The latest reported incidents involved buses belonging to the Nasese Buses Limited of Suva.
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The ripping out of bus seats and the damaging of windscreen and windows is vandalism at its worst. It is criminal and those involved must not be allowed to get away with it.
They must be subjected to the full processes of the law and made me to realise that vandalism of any kind is unacceptable and not condoned.
When a bus is moving any activity on board is fraught with danger and can compromise the safety of the driver and passengers.
The audacious nature in which the latest incidents played out tells us that the students have become more daring and dangerous.
If action is not taken on these latest incidents, it is going to get worse. Daredevils out there could be planning more bizarre acts which they may regard as simple pranks.
There are few more zone athletic meetings to take place before the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletic finals next month.
In the coming weeks there is potential for more violence and the message must go out now that enough is enough.
People are sick and tired of hearing and seeing scenes of violence by students.
Whether it is destruction or defacing of property or the rivalry between students on the field spilling into the streets, it is serious and must be nipped in the bud.
Violence is not the desired method to achieve an objective or let off steam. It always leads to pain, suffering and heartache, and to a certain extent loss of lives and property.
The violent behaviour on the buses could endanger the lives of not only the perpetrators, but other fellow passengers and the drivers.
How can we resolve this problem?
First each school bus must have an adult supervisor to ensure that students comply with the rules. The driver cannot drive and look after the students at the same time. When you have more than 60 screaming students breathing down your neck, it can be overwhelming.
One new trend emerging is rocking of buses as if the students are on a boat in the Sea. It could tip a bus over and cause a serious accident. The driver has no control over it even if he tries. He may have to stop the bus to act but he is out numbered.
The supervisor can be a school teacher, a parent, Land Transport Authority officer or a Police officer. A meeting of all stakeholders will work out the mechanics.
One of the contributing factors to party mood in buses is the loud music. When the music is blared by the bus driver or passengers carrying their own music, it creates this party atmosphere. Passengers join the fun and some go further and do stupid things like riping out bus seats.
Loud music must be banned in buses. Not all pssengers like loud music. Some enjoy a quiet ride, read a book, listen to a favourite programme, phone a friend or loved one or simply take a nap before getting off at the next destination.
The last thing they want is loud music.
Overloading must stop. It’s unhealthy and risky to students. It creates an environment of uneasiness and frustration which can be expressed in different forms including violence. Bus operators must provided extra buses to cater for students and ensure that no one is left behind.
Parents need to play a more active role. They should set the rules at home and draw boundaries for their children on what they can do and cannot do.
Unless we take concrete steps to address this problem now, we may live to regret it later.
