Sharjah all set to ensure a safe school year for pupils

Parents pick up school supplies before reopening this week. - Photo by Shihab

The Sharjah Police have completed all preparations for the school reopening and necessary measures are taken to ensure the smooth and safe transportation of students to and from their schools.
Major Abdulrahman bin Khater, Director of the media section at the Traffic Department of Sharjah Police, told Khaleej Times that the Sharjah Police have laid out the plans to protect the school community.
"The police have put up a plan for the school opening which includes deployment of traffic patrols and air wing patrols to monitor the traffic. Students will receive gifts and awareness publications, including brochures. The department will also organise awareness lectures for school bus drivers and supervisors before the start of the academic year. The police will also identify the areas that witness frequent accidents and places of traffic jams to increase its patrols."
Major Khater explained that every year before the beginning of the school year, the police coordinate with the departments concerned to review related issues and find solutions. The police distributed awareness leaflets containing instructions for bus drivers, parents and teaching staff. Safety information are also spread through social media.
Awareness initiatives
Colonel Ariff Hassan Hadeb, director of media and public relations department of the Sharjah Police, said various programmes will be conducted to create a positive feeling among students. The police work towards raising awareness among students regarding traffic safety guidelines. "The police will distribute awareness materials to students to confirm their social role," he added.
Education council Initiatives
Ali Ahmed Al Hosani, secretary-general of the Sharjah Education Council, said that the council is in the process of launching a series of initiatives, activities and events aimed at supporting the educational process.
"We have launched a smart application for the students. The council has launched an initiative titled "Pillars," which aims to promote good behaviour and values among students to be productive members of society."
Children of Sharjah's nurseries are registered into the Global Junior programme, which prepares children for enrolment in the school. The programme includes arranging daily schedules and activities for children in the age group of 2-4 years.
School buses
Adnan Mohammed Al Zarouni, director of School buses in the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said that a total of 581 buses will transport students of 44 public schools and nine private schools in Sharjah for the academic year.
He confirmed that the RTA has added 109 school buses to cope with the expected growth in the number of schools and students.
Students catch the mood
With only hours left for the school reopening, market is full of school products, such as bags, lunch boxes, colours, notebooks that carry cartoon heroes, shoes etc.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com