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Back to School Campaign

Phase 1 - Report Back

Presentation to MANCO

on 17 February 2011

The Back to School campaign is an ongoing project on the calendar of

events, of the National Rail Crime Combating Forum’s Communication

(NRCCF) Sub-committee.

The NRCCF Communication Sub-Committee members represent

communication teams from:

The Railway Safety Regulator

Transnet Freight Rail

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa &

SAPS Railway Police.

Additional stakeholders involved in the campaign include:

School principals & School Governing Bodies;

Municipal Ward Councillors; Municipal Community Safety Officers;

Community Policing Forums; SABC & Community media (print & radio)

Background of Back to School

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To increase awareness about the dangers of rail: trains, infrastructure goods

in transit

To positively influence the attitudes and behaviour of communities around

railway areas

Target identified “hot spots’’ for intensive information and developmental

initiatives

To position the Railway Safety Regulator as a caring and responsible

corporate citizen and government entity

To inculcate a culture of safety among school children and youth

Objectives

7156 in Phase 1 ( 9 February 2011 – 14 February 2011)

Provinces covered: Gauteng, North West & Limpopo

(township & rural schools near railway lines)

Number of learners reached = 12 122

School’s name & Province Number of learners at

presentation

Hleketani Primary School (LP) 86

Albert Luthuli Primary School (LP) 1077

Spa Park Primary School (LP) 1165

Ruabohlale High School (GP) 1132

Mmakau Moemise Primary School (NW) 700

Pfunzo Ndi Tshedza Primary School (GP) 758

Bula Dikgoro Primary School (GP) 1188

Ramahlale Primary School (GP) 1050

Total 7156

4966 in Phase 2 ( 17 February 2011 – 22 February 2011)

Provinces covered: Gauteng & North West

(township & rural schools near railway lines)

Number of learners reached

School’s name & Province Number of learners at

presentation

Rodney Mokoena Primary School (GP) 1507

Shalom Primary School (GP) 960

Polonia Primary School (NW) 384

Sephola Banatso Middle School (NW) 550

Refitlhile-Pele Primary School (GP) 1565

Total 4966

•Children are among the most

vulnerable to rail related incidents

and fatalities

•We also rely on these young

people to be the “safety

ambassadors in their schools,

homes and communities

•Educating the youngsters on rail

safety encourages whistle-blowing

& discourages them from

vandalism, staff-riding & loitering in

the rail reserve.

•The current TFR TV & Radio

campaign featuring a young child

playing with a ball on the rail line is

still fresh in the youngsters’ minds.

Rationale for Rail Safety at Schools

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Above: Bela-Bela level crossing, near Albert

Luthuli Primary (which was visited during

the campaign), was the scene of a fatal level

crossing accident in January, involving

learners and a teacher.

Stakeholder mix & roles

Railway Safety

Regulator

No cost implication

Providing information (pamphlets)

Promotional items (caps, t-shirts, lanyards)

Campaign staff

Operators (TFR

& PRASA)

Budget & profiling safety through TV & radio

Stakeholder Management units provide links

with community organisations & schools

Providing information (pamphlets)

Promotional items (diaries, time tables,

squeeze bottles, pens, desk calendars)

Campaign staff

Ward councillors,

Community

Safety officers &

CPFs.

Councillor & Safety Officers speak to

learners

Adopt-A-Cop programme provides network

with schools

Railway Safety begins with me

Anytime is train-time: Goods

trains operate 24-hours a day.

ABCs of Rail Safety:

- Always Stop at level Crossings

- Be Alert, Be Careful

- Call a teacher, Call a Parent

Spara-Para Kills!

Always keep 15 metres away from a railway line.

Don’t throw stones, play sport!

Cargo theft & cable theft ain’t cool.

Messages are explained to the learners according to age-group & in the language spoken at the school.

Key messages

Informal and Formal settlements near rail lines

Close proximity to the rail network/ infrastructure

Areas where Motorists go over rail crossings regularly

Farming communities near railway lines - livestock crossing the rail

Areas where crime is rife : goods stolen from stationary trains ,cable theft ,

etc

Areas identified as “hot spots” in terms of rail safety e.g. stone throwing

incidents , vandalism

Target Areas

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Format of each school visit

The team & stakeholders visit

schools during assembly, break or a

time set aside by the Principal (eg a

classroom for a smaller group).

In a 30 to 40 minute session, each

entity explains who they are, what

they do & gives safety tips & hotline

numbers to the children, in a way

they can understand (songs,

recitations, games) & in the

language spoken at the school.

A mini-drama/short skit on level

crossings is presented, in which the

children are directed to act out a

scene.10 children & 1 or 2 facilitators

form a train and 5 children cross at a

“level crossing.”

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Format of each school visit (cntd)

Learners are asked

questions about rail safety,

from the preceding

presentation & those who

answer correctly receive

promotional items

Educators & members of

the CPFs & SGBs are

issued with pamphlets &

encouraged to continue

educating the children after

the campaigners have left.

The School Principal, Deputy or an HOD at the school is then given an

evaluation/feedback form to complete, rating us as the communicators on the

efficacy of the presentation. The forms are certified with the date & school stamp

for our records & auditing purposes.

All school principals indicated the campaign should visit their schools at

least twice a year and if possible, 4 times per year (at the start of each

term). This is because learners need to hear the messages regularly in

order to internalise them.

Crimes around the rail environment

remain a concern in all schools

visited(learners staff-riding,

vandalism, stone throwing,

muggings of learners near tracks

& rail bridges)

Campaigners were asked to assist

with sourcing sponsors & other support

for disabled or at risk children.

Issues highlighted by

School Principals

Rua Bohlale Primary’s principal (Soshanguve), alerted us of a

railway bridge that is so damaged, that learners prefer to cross the

line on foot. Safety Assurance has been alerted.

A local construction company is digging out soil a few metres away

from the track. This has resulted in a large ditch forming, which

periodically fills with water when it rains. A child drowned during the

heat-wave in December 2010. Safety Assurance has been alerted.

Bula Dikgoro Primary (Mamelodi) requested 2 RSR reflective jackets

for the CPF patrollers, who will watch over children at the nearby

level crossing & rail bridge. Children from the informal settlement

need to cross the bridge to reach their school in the township.

Issues highlighted by

School Principals (cntd)

Ramahlale Primary

School’s (Mamelodi)

principal suggested

promotional items

specific to children

with our key

messages printed on

them eg rulers (as

the children use them

daily) as well as T-

shirts & caps with

hotlines printed on

them.

Issues highlighted by

School Principals (cntd)

Motorist behaviour ( school taxi drivers). A campaign targeting the drivers

was suggested, streamlined with SANTACO’s Hlokomela Campaign.

Questions & Answers

Presented by

Lavinia Mahlangu

Communication Manager

Tel: (011) 417 002 Mobile: 082 791 3410

Email address: Laviniam@rsr.org.za website: www.rsr.org.za

Thank you