This article is from page 25 of the 2011-04-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 25 JPG
PUPILS who have promoted road safety in their schools have had their efforts recognised by Clare County Council.
The council runs a Junior School Warden Scheme, through which students from primary schools across the county are trained by gardaí. Under the scheme, the students play the role of the lollipop lady in that they help their classmates and friends to cross the road safely before and after school.
The scheme has been in existence for several years and has been stepped up in Clare, under the guidance of the council’s road safety officer Barry Keating.
The students in seven schools involved in the scheme were awarded with certificates at a function in one of the participating schools, Sixmilebridge National School, last week. The event was aimed at ensuring students were made aware of the importance of their role in the scheme.
The participating schools are St Senan’s, Clonlara; St Senan’s, Shannon; St Conaire’s, Shannon; St John’s, Cratloe; Kilkishen National School; Connolly National School and Sixmilebridge National School. The fifth- and sixth-class pupils in the schools lead the project. In total, 230 students are involved in the scheme across the county. There are up to 50 involved in the larger schools, with 15 or 20 pupils in the smaller schools.
“It is the same as the Adult School Warden scheme,” said Barry Keating. “It was very prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s. We don’t have an Adult School Warden in every school, so that gives students the opportunity to do it,” he added.
“They are trained by Sergeant Daragh Molloy, who instructs them in exactly what they have to do. Every day they are out there, they have to have an adult with them,” said Mr Keating.
Last week’s event not only promoted the valuable scheme, but also gave students the chance to learn from others.
“It was the first time we brought them all together and gave everyone an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. They learn from each other,” he said.
“From a road safety point of view, it provides a valuable service for the schools and it gives students a great grounding in road safety,” he added.
Any other schools interested in getting involved in the scheme should contact the council’s road safety section. “For any school that wishes to get involved in the scheme, there has to be infrastructure in place like footpaths, so that children can cross to a safe environment,” said Mr Keating.