DOHA: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has completed improving road safety features around 465 schools across the country. This accounts for 88 per cent of the total number of schools included in the School Zone Safety Programme.
Works are on to complete implementation of safety plans for 38 schools – part of Ashghal preparedness for the 2020-2021 academic year. Road safety features around schools help ensure security and safety of students, parents and educational staff.
According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ashghal has coordinated with the Ministry of Interior and the National Road Safety Committee to identify school areas in need of development.
The list of schools is assessed and revised on a monthly and annual basis. The number of schools in need of development is increasing each year. This year, priority has been given to approximately 533 schools spread across various areas in Qatar.
Design plans are also in progress for 25 schools and have been completed for five additional schools, with work expected to commence as soon as necessary approvals are obtained from concerned entities in the country.
Hassen Al Hamadi, Head of the Highways Operation & Maintenance Section, said Ashghal gives the School Zone Safety Programme high priority, as it is one of the key elements to achieve the National Road Safety Strategy (NRSS) 2013-22. It aims to ease traffic congestion in these areas, separate vehicles from pedestrians and improve unpaved roads to achieve higher safety levels, ensuring safe entry and exit of students and parents from schools.
He said School Zone Safety Programme works include the establishment and development of roads at the highest level of safety in school zones by providing designated car parks, building medians and small roundabouts in order to manage traffic flow in those areas.
“As part of the programme, the Roads Operation and Maintenance Department at Ashghal installs a number of directional signs and provides road markings near schools to alert drivers of the 30 kmph speed limit,” the official said.