Traffic safety to be taught in schools soon

Traffic safety will be made part of the curriculum of all Independent and private schools in Qatar by the next academic year, The Peninsula reported.

The project was first launched in four schools on a trial basis during the 2013-2014 academic year and currently 25 schools including some private schools are giving traffic safety awareness lessons.

SEC will soon set up traffic villages in six schools as part of the project. This will help impart practical knowledge and awareness to children about traffic rules and road safety.

The Curriculum Standards Office has a team of specialists to follow up on implementation of the project. Traffic safety will not be taught as an independent subject but it will be incorporated in the curriculum as part of other subjects and through contextual learning.

The project targets all schools — independent, private and international — from KG to Grade 12 levels to raise traffic safety awareness among children, both as pedestrians and future drivers.

The project has been developed and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Shell company. The Curriculum Standards Office plays a major role in developing the study material and supervising its implementation.

The SEC recently sent a circular to all schools seeking their opinion about establishing traffic villages in their premises. The response was very encouraging.

There is a joint committee with representatives from the SEC, the National Committee for Traffic Safety and Traffic Department to set up the standards for traffic villages in schools. [The Peninsula]