A TOTAL of 87 schools in Penang island participated in a police briefing for newly appointed school traffic wardens at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) town hall at the Esplanade today, with the aim of alleviating traffic congestion during school hours.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran congratulated the MBPP traffic sub-committee, the state Education Department and the police for their collaboration to increase the number of existing school traffic wardens to manage traffic flow around the schools, especially during peak hours.
He reserved special praise for MBPP councillor Tan Soo Siang, highlighting her dedicated efforts in securing the support of the Education Department. This collaboration resulted in the engagement of the primary and secondary schools to appoint school wardens who participated in the programme.
“The primary purpose of today’s briefing is for the police to equip the school traffic wardens with essential skills to regulate vehicular movement and facilitate safe crossings for students. The participants will be commissioned as certified school traffic wardens after successfully completing the training.
“My gratitude to all those involved, either directly or indirectly, to make the briefing session a success. Hopefully, traffic congestion in the school areas, especially during school hours, will be reduced and safety can be improved with the appointment of school traffic wardens.
“I would like to advise road users to always be careful and adhere to the traffic rules and the instructions of the school traffic wardens when passing through the school grounds,” Rajendran said in his speech.
Notable figures present at the briefing included Insp Haris Safuan, the traffic control officer from the northeast district police headquarters, Mohd Shukri Idris, the HEM assistant director (students’ affairs unit of the Penang Education Department), Dr Chin Wee Loon, the MBPP Health Department deputy director, Cheah Chin Kooi, the MBPP Engineering Department director, and representatives from various schools who had been nominated as traffic wardens.
The school traffic warden service was introduced 30 years ago to help students cross the road safely, especially in schools that do not have pedestrian crossings.
However, with the rising number of private vehicles used by parents and guardians for student transportation, traffic congestion has also surged over time.
In response to this challenge, the MBPP established a traffic sub-committee for schools in 2012.
The committee has since executed a range of strategies, such as implementing one-way traffic system, widening roads to accommodate student drop-offs and pickups, and installing traffic lights.
Rajendran also announced that the MBPP would be offering a modest monthly allowance to school traffic wardens as a token of appreciation for their invaluable contributions.
Tan Soo Siang expressed her sincere appreciation to the state Education Department for playing a vital role in enlisting over 80 traffic wardens. This group comprises parents, Parent-Teacher Association members, and school staff members, all of whom participated in the programme.
“This is the first time we have had so many participants, compared to only a few attendees before.
“This increased turnout underscores the growing awareness of the importance of engaging parents and staff as traffic wardens. I hope this positive response continues every year,” Tan said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud