The Malta Road Safety Council, together with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, presented awards and certificates of participation to a number of schools and students who took part in a writing and design competition related to road safety.

The initiative included two main competitions: one for primary school children, who wrote a short composition about road safety, and another for secondary school students, who designed their idea for a Road Safety Council logo. These competitions form part of the work being carried out among children to raise greater awareness about road safety.

A total of 24 schools took part in the competition: 8 primary schools and 16 secondary and middle schools. Each participating school was awarded a certificate of participation and a €200 voucher redeemable for books. Every student who participated received a digital certificate as a token of appreciation, while the best works were awarded educational prizes.

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, Chris Bonett, addressed the parents and students present and thanked them for their participation, describing it as a clear example of the importance they attach to this very important subject. He said, "In their own unique and special way, it is often our children themselves who convey and teach us the most important messages and lessons."

"This evening and the awards we are presenting should encourage the fostering of a culture of respect on our roads from a young age. Initiatives like these form part of a wider plan to continue raising awareness about the importance of ensuring that our roads are safe for everyone who uses them, whether on foot, by bicycle, or by vehicle," Minister Bonett concluded.

Therese Bajada, Chairperson of the Malta Road Safety Council, explained that the idea of the Road Safety Awards for Schools began about a year ago, when the council decided to involve children more in educational road safety campaigns. "Children are our future, and the submissions we received showed us that children know what they want in the field of mobility, including walking and cycling," Dr Bajada concluded.

The Malta Road Safety Awards for Schools were organised by the Malta Road Safety Council with the assistance of the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works, the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Transport Malta, and the Office of the Commissioner for Children.