Nova Scotia’s Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development says his department is not looking into seatbelts on school buses at this time.
On Thursday, an RV ran a stop sign just outside Lunenburg and crashed into a moving school bus, knocking it into a ditch and sending three students to hospital with minor injuries.
Zach Churchill says everyone is thankful the accident wasn’t worse, but parents should be assured the school busses are safe.
“We really provide safe transportation on buses. Their design is as safe as you can get on the round and we’ve done a good job as far as safety. Of course, you can never prevent all accidents.”
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill July 4, 2019
Churchill says the department follows all federal safety standards.
“Listen, it’s every parent’s worse nightmare to hear that their child was potentially injured. We’re very thankful that the injuries in this particular case were minor. But we can assure parents that we are operating at the highest safety standard here in Nova Scotia.”
Churchill says the federal government is looking into bus safety regulations.
And any new measures to improve safety will be enacted in Nova Scotia.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the South Shore Regional Centre for Education says staff will be keeping an eye on students involved in Thursday’s bus crash.
Paul Ash says they’ll be watching for signs of trauma.
Ash says staff were on top of the situation immediately.
“The staff would’ve received the students at the school after the incident and had a conversation with them to make sure they were okay. Then they would’ve reached out to the teachers to keep an eye on them as well.”
He says in addition to the relationships with classroom teachers the schools provide other supports.
“We have guidance counsellors available. We’ve already had conversations with the administration at the school and they’re aware there are additional supports available through the Regional Office such as our School Psychologist and other supports as well.”
Ash says teachers will be paying particular attention for signs of erratic behaviours over the next few days.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
