Forum develops Schools Road Safety Program

WINDHOEK, JUNE 13 – The Day of The African Child, celebrated on the 16th of June, aims at raising awareness of the needs of the African child, in particular the need for continuous improvement in education.

The Private Sector Road Safety Forum (PSRSF) and its members have thereby called on those commemorating this day to be reminded about the importance of Road Safety for children, as children are particularly vulnerable.to vehicular injury and trauma from road crashes.

With the introduction of Road Safety as part of the school syllabus in all Namibian primary schools, the PSRSF and its members had identified Road Safety Infrastructure and Control measures in and around schools as a major opportunity to enhance the safety of children.

It is against this backdrop that the PSRSF has developed the Schools Road Safety Program where private sector players adopt a school by undertaking to rectify and maintain the road safety infrastructures at the school.

One of the schools identified by the PSRSF was The Moses van der Byl Primary School in Soweto, Windhoek, where the PSRSF implemented road safety structures in various critical areas at the school. The structures include guard rails with bollards as well as sidewalk paving in front of the school clearly separating the learners from traffic.

In addition, a more user friendly exit was constructed, allowing parents to drive into the school premises to drop off or collect their children.

Moses van der Byl Primary School, Head of Department, Ms. Enginie Garises believes that the road safety infrastructure improvements at her school not only helped learners, but also the community at large. The school now has scholar patrol members assisting the learners to cross the road safely every morning and afternoon.

“With the road safety measures installed at our school it is much safer and much more convenient for our learners.”

Another school that benefited from the project is the A.I. Steenkamp Primary School in Windhoek, sponsored by the PUMA and FIA Foundations respectively.

PSRSF spokesperson, Horst Heimstadt said that the Day of The African Child serves as a reminder of our duty to care for children.

“The PSRSF is passionate about the safety of our children at schools and will therefore go the extra mile to make sure that schools are equipped with the necessary measures to ensure the safety of students.” Heimstadt further expresses his heartfelt gratitude towards all stakeholders who have significantly contributed to the program and called on Namibians to do their part in ensuring the safety of our children.”
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