Bengal mulling mandatory lessons on safety in schools

The West Bengal government is planning to make weekly classes on safety compulsory in all state-run schools, a minister said Thursday.

According to State Transport Minister Madan Mitra, his ministry will submit a proposal to the state education ministry to launch the initiative.

"I will soon write to the education ministry. This is part of the government's efforts to create self-safety culture across the state," he said.

"Jay-walking, jumping signals, rash driving, drink driving, encroachment, etc., have become a norm. Scores of young men and women are seen talking on their mobile on roads, making themselves susceptible to accidents," Mitra said at the Safety Symposium and Exposition, a flagship event organised by CII Eastern Region here.

Mitra also talked about organising a conference on safety involving school children.

In addition, he revealed trauma centres will be established in all district and sub-divisional towns.