West Demerara primary and secondary schools on Friday participated in a rally and march pass to commemorate Road Safety Week which was observed from November 26 to December 2.
The schools began their activity with a road march, overseen by several ranks from the joint services, which included a salute to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, Regional Education Officer Baydewan Rambarran and Assistant Superintendent Steve Booker. Afterward a brief ceremony was held in the West Demerara Secondary School's auditorium where Faerber, in his address, said road fatalities were lower this year than in the corresponding period last year. He said last year there were 206 accidents in the West Demerara as compared to 152 this year and that in 2005 25 persons were killed in road accidents, 24 adults and a child. This year's road fatalities were 12 adults and three children. Faerber said all stakeholders need to work towards curbing the lawlessness on the roads and reduce the number of accidents and deaths. In closing he urged the students to practise road safety.
Rambarran commended the students for participating in the rally. He assured them that the department "will ensure that we have a vibrant road safety patrol in schools" and lectures by policemen in the schools will continue. Rambarran told the students that they were the country's resources and "we cannot afford to lose our resources through accidents". In a brief address, Booker told the students that accidents sometimes cost lives and "we do not want it to continue". He urged them to remember the safety rules when crossing the road.
Region Three Regional Chairman Julius Faerber handing over the 'Best March Pass' trophy to West Demerara Secondary School's Kerri Merchant. The school also copped the 'Best Turnout' prize and the third place trophy in the 'Best Banner' category.
The host school copped the top two prizes; 'Best Turnout' and 'Best March Pass' in the secondary school category of the rally followed by the Patentia Secondary School which carted off 'Best Banner' prize. In the primary school category the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary grabbed the two top prizes; 'Best Turnout' and the 'Best March Pass', followed by the Sarsawat Primary which captured the prize for 'Best Banner'. Road Safety Week was observed under the theme "Working in partnership for a safer road everyday."