Children and young people’s views are heard in Safer Journey’s to School programme
Date published:
Children and young people have taken part in a series of focus groups to help shape the Safer Journey’s to School (SJS) programme.
Children and young people have taken part in a series of focus groups to help shape the Safer Journey’s to School (SJS) programme.
The SJS programme was established by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to improve safety following tragic incidents involving children and buses, which highlighted the risks when passengers are getting on and off buses.
A public consultation has been carried out focusing on whether clearer rules on driver behaviour around buses - particularly while children and young people are boarding and alighting - could help reduce danger. A summary report on the consultation, based on more than 600 responses, will be published shortly.
Minister Kimmins has visited Millennium Primary School, Saintfield which is one of the schools taking part in the focus groups. The engagement will help build on evidence as the programme continues to develop.
Minister Kimmins said:
“Our children and young people are at the heart of the Safer Journeys to School programme. It is so important that we hear directly from them about their experiences and concerns. That’s why we have been visiting schools like Millennium - to listen carefully to those voices which will help us shape the way forward.
“Schools already do a lot to help keep pupils safe, and I want to recognise that important work today.
“My Department will continue working with partners such as the Education Authority, Translink and the PSNI to take practical steps to help make the school journey safer.”
Notes to editors:
- Millennium Integrated Primary School; St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast; Saintfield High School; and Cumber Claudy Primary School took part in the focus groups.
- Picture Caption: The Minister hears the views of pupils from Millenium Integrated Primary School, Saintfield, Co.Down.
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