Ensuring a safer school environment

Community safety remains a high priority for the government and by now, many people have returned to work while children are back in school.

On January 22, two schools in Kagiso were part of a programme teaching learners how they could play a role in creating a safer environment.

Kid Maponya Primary School along with Atlholang Primary School’s children were part of the programme that would raise awareness of some of the challenges concerning safety.

According to Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Obed Sibasa, the topics discussed included substance abuse, community safety, neighborhood awareness and school safety.

”The Back to School programme was launched in 2012. It aims to improve the education and social skills of learners and to encourage them to prioritise education. Back to School programmes can also help to assess the readiness of schools,” Sibabsa added.

The stakeholders present at the initiative included members of the Department of Social Development, Youth Life, Western Corridor Safety, SAPS and Crime Prevention Officers. The officials also handed out school uniforms and scholar patrol uniforms.

“The scholar patrol initiative plays an important role in ensuring the safety of learners during peak traffic hours when the school day is concluded, and equips them with the right knowledge to help make school environments safer.”

The programme commenced in January and will continue throughout February.