The government of Namibia introduced a road safety learning program at secondary schools through the National Road Safety Council (NRSC). The program was initiated back in 2012 and aims at promoting safety awareness from school level.
However, there have been several concerns regarding the program. While it is an excellent way to boost the awareness of road safety, critics are apathetic that the program lacks integration of actual practical learning. Learners undertake theoretical training rather than being taught real skills. Stakeholders suggest that if the program incorporated actual skill training, it would save the time taken to train for the same while working. The process of training is also expensive, and most of the graduates cannot afford. Due to this, some suggest that full training while in school will help provide an equal opportunity to those from poor backgrounds who are unable to pay for schooling after school.
The National Road Safety Council introduced the program after it realized that there was a gap in the school curriculum concerning road safety awareness in 2009. According to Ambrosius Tierspoor, the chief public relations officer, the program uses a budget of N$12 million every year. The program is taught in both upper primary and secondary grade. It is currently taught, not as a standalone subject, but as elements within the existing subjects. In Grade 1 to 4, the learners are taught by use of visual posters for the program.
