BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Education on Monday issued a circular asking for stricter punishment on illegal school buses and related violations to ensure students' safety of daily commuting.

The Ministry required relevant local departments to strengthen safety checks and monitoring at rush hours and key areas, step up road patrols and carefully examine school buses for potential risks.

The circular reminded primary and middle school students, preschoolers and parents to not take unregistered and overcrowded buses and enhance the awareness of traffic safety since several accidents on overcrowded buses took place across the country recently.

School bus drivers were also asked to improve their driving skills and be better prepared to deal with traffic emergencies as the weather changes and roads get wet and slippery in the winter.