The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has issued a stern warning to schools, requiring all vehicles transporting learners to undergo thorough inspection and meet strict safety standards before the reopening of schools.
In a notice dated August 15, NTSA emphasized that every vehicle carrying school children must be in proper mechanical condition. The directive follows a nationwide inspection in which NTSA officers conducted random checks on school buses and vans, uncovering widespread safety violations.
According to the authority, several school vehicles were found operating without functional speed limiters, while others had expired or faulty devices that failed to transmit data to NTSA’s monitoring system. Inspectors also flagged poorly maintained interiors, including torn seats, shaky cushions, broken door locks, and missing or damaged seat belts.
Other non-compliances included failure to meet KS 372:2019 standards, which set requirements for passenger comfort and safety. Vehicles were found with weak seat anchoring, lack of anti-roll bars, and missing identification plates. On the exterior, inspectors identified rusted chassis, cracked bodies, and faulty steering and suspension systems.
NTSA reminded schools that all vehicles must be manufactured by approved builders and inspected by certified officers. A list of accredited manufacturers and inspectors has been published on the NTSA website. The authority warned schools against transporting children and teachers in unroadworthy vehicles, stressing that safety must be prioritized at all times.
In a related announcement, NTSA disclosed that more than 315,000 public service and commercial vehicles across the country are currently operating without valid inspection certificates. These include vehicles with a tare weight of 3,049 kilograms and above. Owners of such vehicles have been directed to take immediate corrective measures.
The Authority has also instructed law enforcement officers to verify inspection certificates using NTSA’s free mobile application, which provides instant access to the vehicle compliance database.
“Ensuring that school buses and public service vehicles are safe is not negotiable. We will continue to enforce strict compliance to prevent avoidable accidents and safeguard the lives of our children,” NTSA said in the notice.
