TROTTING TO SCHOOL

“ Love the Earth as yourself, then you can truly care for all things “

-         Swami Vivekananda.

Chennai, the pearl of South India has a population of 4.6 million in the city proper. It has 451 schools to cater to the needs of the school going lot. Everyone uses the roads in the morning hours to reach their destination. Everyone has the right to use the road. Oh!

We speak of the rights of man; do we speak of the duties of man?

We, the students of The Children’s Garden Higher Secondary School present School news report on “ TROTTING TO SCHOOL” 

Our school which has the strength of 1700 students is located on the 7^th lane of Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, which is a dead end. The important land mark is President Hotel which is on Dr. Radhakrishnan salai.

Description about the area

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We also have two of our branch schools having the strength of nearly 1200 children on the same lane. All the 3000 students barging into the lane through various modes of transport, just imagine the traffic during school peak hours that is 7.45 AM to 8.20 AM

Our school news reporters are interested in gathering data about the mode of transport of our students.

Traffic congestion in Chennai is frustrating. Regarding the vehicle population, Tamilnadu ranks second in the country. Chennai registers 700 new vehicles daily. The total private vehicle population is up by 300 percent, but the road network has not kept pace. Frequently students are reporting late.

 Classification of data:-

Problems faced by the students coming by various mode of transport:-

v     Increase of motor traffic- vehicular population

v     Over crowded Buses.

v     In disciplined drivers - significant reason for the chaos and congestion 

v     Some bus drivers do not halt the buses in the designated bus stops

v     Poor traffic management

v     Lack of proper infrastructure

v     Public transport vehicles vying for space with private vehicles

v     Encroachments on the pavements

v     Mushrooming of eat outs and fast food centers in the vicinity of the school

Strategic Measures taken:-

• Road Safety Patrol
    a) This movement was started in the 1970s.There are trained teachers to motivate the children and regulate the traffic at important junctions .

b) Some of the students are trained in Road Safety patrol which is beneficial in   future also

c) Mrs.Mala, one of our teachers has undergone training to be the traffic warden.

• Our students are sensitized about the rules of the road
• Developing a rapport with the local police
• In turn, our students are able to participate in the state level Road Safety Patrol contingent in the Republic Day Parade
• Enable some of the students to bag the Best Road Safety Patrol in the city
• Primary section timings - little different to ease congestion

Link to video: http://youtu.be/5zi-5VK50sk