The father of Raneh Abdullah Jumaa, a one-and-a-half-year-old girl, could not comprehend that his daughter passed away due to "neglect," as he describes, still in shock. He adds that she died when the school bus door closed on her head while she was with her teacher mother and brother, in what can only be described as "an act of negligence." According to him, the bus driver is supposed to have an assistant as mandated by law, and as affirmed by the school, "however, the absence of assistance caused the disaster, and it has turned our lives into hell."
The case of little Raneh, who died in a tragic incident in the town of Kafr Kila a few days ago, is on the verge of becoming a public outcry, especially since it isn't the only tragedy recorded in recent days; it was preceded by the tragedy of little Sirin Al-Shakour, who died after being hit by a car while exiting the Makassed School in Nabatieh.
These incidents open up the file on negligence in schools, specifically regarding external transportation, which the school does not adequately prioritize. Most school vans are illegal, having turned into an opportunity for their owners, and the "illegal" fare is significantly different from that of the legal bus, according to Hassan Sheit, the mayor of Kafr Kila, confirming that negligence is the dominant issue. The absence of laws and non-enforcement contributes to these incidents and will surely be repeated.
He states that about 15 percent of school transport buses meet the conditions, while the rest are illegal, and chaos prevails in this file, where profit outweighs responsibility and student safety, not to mention the absence of an assistant for the driver, which could increase accidents.
The economic crisis has compelled parents to look for cheaper buses, neglecting their children's safety, as saving money is the priority at this stage. They will choose the cheapest option between 500,000 and 700,000, even at the expense of their children's lives.
Some schools have mandated insurance for every unlicensed and illegal bus, but when a disaster occurs, everyone disassociates themselves from responsibility. Only the mother who has lost her child pays the price, while others forget within less than a month... When a tragedy strikes, ministries move to issue circulars and directives emphasizing the need for protection and strict oversight.
Two tragic incidents in less than a month since the school year began, two girls among the dead, negligence, chaos, irresponsibility, and laws not being applied. Raneh and Sirin will not be the last victims of neglect; the tragedy, as the father says, "may repeat as long as negligence reigns." According to him, "the primary responsibility falls on the school that did not enforce the laws strictly. I lost my daughter in front of her mother's eyes; she died without us being able to do anything. Who is to blame here?" The father refuses to blame anyone except negligence, demanding stricter supervision of school buses "so that there won’t be another Raneh dying in a horrific manner."
Bus incidents are repeated in front of schools and on the roads during the commute. The accident at Kfar Rumman is still fresh in memory, where a truck hit a school bus and dozens of cars due to brake failure, resulting in 11 injuries. This tragic incident nearly endangered several students inside the bus, which turned into a metal block, prompting Nabatieh Governor Dr. Hassan Qaqish to issue a decision prohibiting the passage of trucks and large vehicles during the times school buses go to and return from schools. This decision may remain mere ink on paper, just like similar decisions.
In Lebanon, a decision meant to protect people often becomes obsolete before it is implemented. The reason, according to Sheit, is that "Lebanon is a country of chaos and its people are irresponsible, and thus the law will not be enacted, and the innocent citizen will be the victim."
Thus, the incidents of Raneh and Sirin have opened the file of chaos and negligence in school buses, a file that should take significant priority for everyone to ensure that the roads to schools do not become a path to death. Will everyone take action before it is too late?
