GOOD NEWS: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students may start getting lessons on road safety from the next academic year. Chapters on road norms, traffic signs, highway codes, traffic hazards and related topics will be included in the syllabus for subjects such as English, Hindi and Science. The board is also organising a national filmmaking contest to spread awareness on road safety. The move to include road safety in the curriculum is aimed at reducing the number of road accidents involving youngsters.
“Students are often irresponsible while walking on the road. They listen to music or are often glued to their mobile phones even while crossing the road,” says a senior education official from the board. “So, it is important for students to know the dos and don’ts to ensure that they are safe while travelling.”
- Road safety lessons
- Initially, topics on road safety will be included in the syllabus for classes 6 to 10 in subjects such as English, Hindi and Science.
- Depending on the response, it will be included in other subjects or be taught as a separate subject.
- The curriculum will be prepared by the International Road Federation (IRF) and Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).
- If approved by MHRD and NCERT, it will be implemented from the next academic year.