The Road Safety Directorate’s ongoing effort to educate secondary and high school learners about the importance of road safety, is receiving huge support from various schools through the Participatory Education Techniques Project.
This was demonstrated at the National Participatory Education Techniques and Road Safety Debates Competition held in Benoni, Gauteng recently. The objective of the project is mainly to encourage and empower learners to be aware of road safety issues in their communities and provide them with practical research skills.
It teaches learners to take responsibility, develop and enhance their presentation skills by means of practical presentation sessions, and it also promotes teamwork.
This year the participating schools were divided into three categories, namely the Urban Category, the Rural Category and the Special Needs Category.
The Urban team, which was made up of Siphakeme High (Ladysmith), Sonyongwana High (Pietermaritzburg), Gabigabi High (Durban) and Martha Beyers High (Empangeni), received gold in the competition. Umfolozi High was crowned with a Silver award, and the Bronze went to Vuleka School for the Deaf, Empangeni.
Phumelele Cindi who is a Principal Road Safety Officer and Project Manager for the Participatory Education Techniques (PET) and Road Safety Debates competition says that road safety is a crucial subject in the country, especially where young people are mostly affected.
“Spreading the message of road safety among young people and the impact of road carnages on them is indeed a rewarding experience. This was shown when the KZN Road Safety Debates and PET teams scooped three top awards in the national competition,” says Cindi.
The KZN road safety personnel were also acknowledged an award for their training expertise by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
MEC Mxolisi Kaunda congratulated the learners and urged them to become road safety ambassadors and encourage their peers to do the same.
Photo: National Minister of Transport, Dr Blake Nzimande, MEC Mxolisi Kaunda and officials from the Road Safety Directorate together with the winners of the Urban Category.