WHILE in the house children are under their parents' authority. When they enter the schoolyard the teachers are in charge.

But the bus journey between the two is a grey area, and this has long caused problems.

Children are never going to be the quietest passengers. In the morning, after a night's sleep, or at teatime, after a day cooped up in the classroom, they have an excess of energy which they can struggle to control.

But natural boisterousness is one thing; foul language, aggression and vandalism is quite different. This sort of behaviour cannot be tolerated. Not only does it make the journey unbearable for other passengers, it puts everyone at risk.

It is not the bus driver's job to discipline unruly youngsters. Drivers need to concentrate on reaching the destination safely. Their attention should be on the road, not on the internal mirror watching what the youngsters are up to. Such distractions could prove lethal.

So we welcome Fulford School's decision to take responsibility for their pupils' behaviour on the buses. Headteacher Stephen Smith has introduced an ingenious system, whereby a child's bus pass will be removed if they are caught misbehaving four times.

This also throws some responsibility back to the parents. They have a duty to teach their children manners and respect for others. The threat of having to ferry their child to and from school if their bus pass is revoked should concentrate parental minds.

The Fulford School scheme is a sensible alternative to the more draconian measure of a teacher or police officer riding on the buses. If this scheme proves effective at quelling the minority of troublemakers, the bus company and other passengers will consider it just the ticket.

Updated: 13:07 Tuesday, September 30, 2003