Maldives Police Service has officially inaugurated the School Traffic Monitors Programme.
The School Traffic Monitors programme coordinated by Ministry of Education and Traffic Management Department of Police targets school students. The School Traffic Monitors Programme was officially inaugurated by Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali.
The programme was initially launched in 2014 with few students from Ghiyassudin International School. As part of the programme which is a joint venture of Ministry of Education and Maldives Police Service, so far students from 27 schools have been trained. The police have trained a total 849 school students to monitor traffic near schools, including 199 students from Male' area and 650 students in atolls.
Addressing the ceremony held to inaugurate the programme, Education Minister Aishath Ali stated the administration widely focuses on embracing different talents within the schooling system. She said involving children in activities related to society and citizens will encourage them to discipline and follow rules.
During the ceremony, the traffic monitors were given badges while certificates were also presented to traffic monitors who completed the programme held from August 21-25 at Hiriya School, Majeedhiyya School and Dharumavantha School.
The programme ensures school students are interested to learn and are aware of road regulations and laws and to spread positive influence to students so that they may uphold the safety of their community while simultaneously being granted a platform to collaborate with Traffic Police. The programme also aims to ensure everyone follows traffic regulations. As part of the programme, students will assist in controlling vehicle traffic and pedestrians near schools during peak hours.
The programme is coordinated for the students of grade 7, 8 and 9 from schools in Male' and atoll schools with established police presence, according to Maldives Police Service. During the programme, students are educated about vehicle regulations and laws and about road safety. Furthermore, the programme teaches students how to monitor the roads and solve traffic issues within school areas while observing public etiquette. In addition, self-defence classes are also integrated to the programme.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police Abdul Mannan Yoosuf, executive officers from Maldives Police Service, senior members from education ministry, senior members from local schools along with traffic monitors and their parents.