Capricorn District Municipality held a successful school debate competition on road safety awareness campaign on 01 June 2019 at Taxila High School. The competition was held in partnership with the department of education and the department of transport, safety and liaison in the Capricorn District.
Ms Jessica Ndladlana from Boetsi Secondary School in Moletjie scooped first position in the competition. Ndladlana received a Backpack, Tablet, big Trophy, dictionary and other goodies. The competition had 31 learners from various schools across the district competing for a place to represent the district at the provincial level with learners from other district.
The top five leaners together with Ndladla namely Mogale Modjadji – St Bedes High School – Ga Molepo, Bopape Gadima and Mathato Lethabo – Flora Park High School – Polokwane and Nkatle Dimpho – Bokamoso Secondary School – Moletjie. The top five learners also received Backpack, Tablet, Trophy, dictionary and other goodies.
The learners who were in the top 10 namely Tema Matsitsilane and Matloga Dineo – St Bedes High School – Ga Molepo, Risuna Rikhotso – Florapark High School – Polokwane, Matshidiso Sediela – Bokamoso Secondary School – Moletjie and Ngoepe Winnie – Sishego High School – Seshego received a bagpack and calculator. Position 11 to 15 received a calculator and a dictionary whereas
16 to 31st received a dictionary.
“The aim of the competition is to instill a spirit of road safety amongst school children and road users in Capricorn District Municipality. Children and young people have a high involvement in road crashes, so they must learn to use the road safely. Receiving road safety education as part of their normal school curriculum is recognized as being one of the most effective ways of providing youngsters with road safety knowledge,” said Pauline Maja, Transport Officer at Capricorn District Municipality.
The purpose of Road Safety Education is to develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and even more importantly – values that enable pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, drivers and passengers to use the road safely.
The Department of Transport and the Department of Education have emphasized the need for a long term road safety strategy that will include road safety education.
- High Schools and Secondary Schools (learners in grade 10 and 11)
- Research workshop – learners taught on how to identify research and find solutions to problems
- Monitoring workshop – to assess progress by schools. In additions, Schools will be visited regularly to determine their progress and to assist in resolving problems encountered.
It was highlighted that the solutions proposed by the winning school at the National level of the competition will be included in SANRAL community development project.