By Phares Mutembei
So, do you cross any roads on your way to school? Do you cross highways, roads or lanes every day? Well, everyday, children across Kenya cross busy roads on their way to school, church, shopping, visiting friends and relatives. Unfortunately, many are hit and either killed or injured by vehicles.
Because of this, Total Kenya, an oil and gas company, together with World Bank, have launched a road safety awareness campaign for schoolchildren around Kenya. The children are being trained on how to safely use roads in their day to day activities.
Recently, tens of children of Madaraka Primary School, which borders the busy Lang’ata Road, in Nairobi were successfully trained on road safety.
Afterwards they were awarded certificates after proving they were now good road users. In turn, they were encouraged to teach their friends on what to do and what not to do while using roads.
The campaign is called ‘On the Road to Safety’ and the target is to educate thousands of children in Kenyan schools.
Schools will receive teaching materials, teachers booklets, student exercise books, educational tools for indoors and outdoors, coloured pencils and reflective armbands.
Fifty students from Madaraka Primary School who have completed the training course were awarded certificates last Saturday in an entertaining ceremony attended by Total Kenya Executive Director Joseph Adewa, Ministry of Education officials, teachers and children.
“It’s not grown-ups alone who are involved in road accidents. Old people and children also have died and others have been injured because they do not know the meaning of road signs.
“After the training, I am now able to know what all our road signs mean. All children should know to read the traffic lights and when it is safe to cross the road,” said Makurun, a Class four pupil.”I go to school alone and I take time to look in all directions to make sure there is no oncoming car. Even when I am in a hurry, I only cross calmly and with confidence when it is clear.”
Ten-year-old Jerald Juma, another pupil who was awarded after completing the road safety course, was on the moon!
“I am so happy because I have learnt so much about cars, drivers, roads and road users. I am a young road user. I will continue to cross roads for very many years so it is wise to know how to do it safely. I was excited to know about road signs because I do not want to get hurt,” said Jerald who is in Class four.
