SANRAL works with experts, education and local authorities to develop educational materials and implement programme.
Teachers and parents across the country will soon have access to innovative teaching aids that will enable them to convey vital road safety messages at schools and in family settings.
The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) is developing these educational materials based on extensive research conducted over the past five years and with the aid of experts in the fields of education, road safety and graphic design.
SANRAL is working closely with the Department of Basic Education, provincial and local transport authorities in the implementation of this road safety education programme.
The resource box will be provided to schools that participate in SANRAL’s road safety education and awareness programmes, and were selected for the agency’s behavioural research project.
Elna Fourie, SANRAL’s Manager: Road Safety Education and Awareness, said: “The teaching material is designed and developed to support teachers, especially in rural communities, who do not have ready access to resources.
“Basic road safety education is included in the curriculum in Grades 1 to 6, but it is expected of teachers to develop their own learning opportunities (lessons) that fit in with the development stages of their learners.”
The SANRAL material helps to fill those gaps.
Included in the resource box are colourful education aids that can assist in teaching children various aspects of basic road safety, explaining the importance of road signs, traffic lights, pedestrian zebra crossings and much more, supplemented by road safety tips and basic information on good road behaviour.
It consists of transparencies, flash cards, posters and signs, and contains ideas on how teachers and learners can design and make their own material.
Teachers also receive manuals and documents they can use in the presentation of the lessons, as well as suggestions for activities that can take place in the classroom or outdoor settings.
SANRAL is working closely with the Department of Basic Education, provincial and local transport authorities in the implementation of this road safety education programme.