Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
123. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she will give consideration to adding road safety to all levels of the primary and post-primary curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16469/24]
View answerTackling road safety challenges is a cross-society effort. My Department and I are keenly aware of the important role that schools, and the education sector, can play in supporting road safety education and awareness.For a number of years, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been involved in providing a comprehensive and integrated road safety education programme at all levels: preschool, primary, post-primary, third level, and in the wider community.This work is in collaboration with a number of organisations including my Department, an Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority and the Higher Education Authority.
As part of this important work, the RSA has developed a range of tailored material that teachers can use to educate school children about road safety. These materials are available on the RSA website.I am very acutely aware that school communities have unfortunately seen the horrific consequences of road collisions at first hand. They have helped their students to cope with the loss of classmates on the roads with the assistance of psychologists from NEPS. I know that we are all united in our desire to play our part in reducing the number of road deaths and the devastation experienced by the families left behind. I met with the RSA recently and welcomed their work to enhance the accessibility of their education programmes for schools. As part of this work, I have specifically asked them to develop a new Transition Year (TY) module as an immediate first step in helping to change road safety culture among young people. Transition Year presents an opportunity to equip this particular cohort with the knowledge and life skills needed at a formative time in their lives – including an understanding of the risks associated with road use, and an appreciation of same.The RSA is this month convening a number of focus groups with students and teachers to support the development of the revised Transition Year module. The module will replace the existing RSA TY module which was designed in 2009.
The new module TY programme is examining how best to utilise technologies and practical experiences for students, which were not available in the design of the previous module.
My Department recently welcomed the RSA at the first Senior Cycle Redevelopment Conference for school leaders in Croke Park. This provided an opportunity for post-primary level school leaders to engage directly with the exhibitions team, and learn more about materials available for use in their schools.
My Department looks forward to working with the RSA over the coming months to support their work in developing the new TY module in particular, as well as its wider work in promoting road safety in our schools.
