Vice-Recteur Michel Sanz (right) and President of Sécurité Routière SXM Thierry Verres (left) sign the convention as Chargé de Mission for road security in the primary schools Bruno Ravier (far left), looks on. (Robert Luckock photo)
MARIGOT--A convention was signed Monday between National Education and Association Sécurité Routière SXM to implement a road safety programme in the primary schools in a concerted effort to educate and change behaviour of the youth on the roads.
The initiative, prompted by alarming and dangerous behaviour, particularly on scooters and motorbikes, has been implemented in the context of the Politique de Ville and is financed by the State and the Collectivité.
The convention was signed by Vice-Recteur of the Northern Islands Michel Sanz and Sécurité Routière SXM President Thierry Verres, who is also the second-in-command at the Gendarmerie. The objective is to educate children from a young age about the dangers of the road, the importance of wearing protective gear, and how reckless behaviour can be a danger to other road-users as well as themselves.
The primary schools in Sandy Ground and French Quarter are the first to be targeted as a great number of young people in these districts are joy-riding on a seemingly regular basis.
The principals of three schools that are taking part in the programme – Patrice Puchal of Aline Hanson School in Sandy Ground, Patricia Petchy of Omer Arrondell Elementary School in French Quarter, and Joelle Petchy-Dorville of Clair St. Maximin Elementary School in French Quarter – were present and gave input at the press conference.
Joining Michel Sanz representing National Education were advisor Andy Agamongon and schools inspector Christian Borrat. Bruno Ravier is the Chargé de Mission for road security in the schools.
Some 300 primary school pupils will each receive six hours of theory and two hours of practical riding on set courses made available by the Prefecture that have been used before in previous road safety campaigns. The first hour of instruction will be given by members of the association and then continued by the teachers. The idea also is to evaluate each child’s awareness of safety and practical skills on a bicycle or on foot.
The organisers hope this first phase of training will lead to a longer term of education on road safety and awareness in the Collèges and Lycées.
