MOE to step up road safety education in light of Tampines accident

SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat has expressed his sadness over the death of two boys who were hit by a cement truck along Tampines Ave 9.

Writing on his Facebook page, he noted that they were brothers and the family is extremely distraught.

Mr Heng said the ministry will support them as best as it can and the police will investigate the accident thoroughly.

Mr Heng added that schools will step up road safety education and work with the police and the Land Transport Authority on further measures to enhance safety.

The minister also urged netizens to be sensitive and respectful, and not circulate photos about the accident, and to give their thoughts and support to the family in this very difficult time.

Responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia, a spokesman for the Education Ministry stressed that road safety of students is the collective responsibility of motorists, parents and schools.

Motorists must play their part by slowing down in the vicinity of schools, while teachers and parents regularly reinforce correct road safety behaviour in students.

The spokesman said schools conducted road safety education talks and gave reminders to the students from the beginning of the school year.

The safety talks highlight to students how they should cross the road at traffic lights and the proper conduct to adhere to when using public roads, at bus bays and pedestrian crossings.

Primary schools also conduct safety walks around the schools’ external environment to help students familiarise themselves with the safe routes.

In addition, road safety is a topic in the Health Education syllabus at the lower primary levels.

Good safety practices of schools are shared at various platforms such as the Annual School Safety Seminar.

The spokesman added that primary schools may participate in the road safety programmes conducted by the Traffic Police such as road safety training at the Road Safety Community Park for primary schools.

The programme includes talks, video presentations, quizzes and role—play of correct road safety behaviour.

— CNA/ck/ir