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The Malta Road Safety Council together with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works presented prizes 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 essay on road safety and another for secondary school children who designed their idea for the Road Safety Council logo. These competitions are part of the work being carried out among children to raise more awareness on road safety. 24 schools took part in this competition, 8 primary and 16 at secondary and middle level. Each participating school was awarded a certificate of participation and a prize of €200 in book vouchers. Each participating student was sent a digital certificate as a token of appreciation for their participation, with the best entries receiving educational prizes. Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett addressed the parents and students present and thanked them for their participation, a clear example of the importance they attach to this important subject. He said, “In their own unique and special way, it is often our own children who convey and teach us the most important messages and lessons.” “This evening and the awards we are giving should encourage the fostering of a culture of respect on our roads from a young age. Initiatives such as these form part of a wider plan to continue raising awareness about the importance of our roads being safe for everyone who uses them, whether on foot, by bike or in vehicles”, concluded Minister Bonett. Dr Therese Bajada, Chairperson of the Malta Road Safety Council, explained that the idea for the Road Safety Awards for Schools began about a year ago when the council took a decision to include children more in educational campaigns on road safety. “Children are our future and the submissions we received showed us that children know what they want in the area of ​​mobility which includes walking and cycling”, concluded Dr Bajada. 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, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation, Transport Malta and the Office of the Commissioner for Children. Photo (MTIP)