05-05-2025
Kendriya Vidyalaya schools to take students on a road safety trip
Dressed up as a superhero, the road safety mascot SIAM (read as Safe I am) greets children of junior sections in schools in a video. It goes on to promise them that it would take them on an adventure about road safety. With jingles and animation stories, children listen to conversations between Chiku and Muski on pedestrian safety, the learn importance of wearing a helmet, the need to walk on the footpath and following rules while waiting for the bus.
The module gets more advanced for middle schoolers and high school students showing them traffic signs, cycling safety and safe driving practices. The rights of pedestrians and data on road safety are also in focus.
During the coming academic year, students of Kendriya Vidyalaya schools will have an online road safety programme in their curriculum that will nudge them towards following road rules. The programme was launched recently by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in association with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
There are 1,253 Kendriya Vidyalayas, and the programme will offer six interactive, curriculum-integrated digital modules for foundational, middle and senior secondary classes.
After teachers play the videos in the classroom, the programme requires students to take an online assessment to test their understanding. 'It is an online quiz where those scoring more than 80% will get a certificate. Those who do not make that cut can repeat the test till they get that score,' says Meenakshi Kukreja, director, SIAM.
The web-based Learning Management System (LMS) developed by SIAM has been integrated into KVS academic activities.
Depending on the age group, the interactive activities are aimed at helping students sharpen their decision-making skills and identify if a shown action is right or wrong.
Meenakshi says the MoU with KVS was signed two years ago and a lot of thought has gone into making the content engaging so as to inspire children to be responsible road users.
'India is among countries that are on the top of the table in terms of road-related fatalities. Education is one pillar of road safety. Through LMS system we will be awarding schools that have completed the six modules together with the assessment tests in the shortest time or got maximum number of students enrolled,' says Meenakshi.
Twenty five assistant commissioners have been trained on how to run this programme in their respective States.
