South Africa's schools embrace road safety education for a safer future

In a significant stride for public safety and education, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has announced the integration of road safety education into South African schools.

The project has been a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in partnership with the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and funding partner RTMC, among others.

Road safety will become a formal part of the national curriculum with this landmark development.

This monumental step was celebrated on June 13, 2025, with the launch of new Life Skills textbooks for Grades 4–6 and Life Orientation textbooks for Grades 7–12 by the DBE.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said this milestone represents a game changer in the national effort to reduce road fatalities and promote responsible road use among future generations.

“By embedding road safety education into the curriculum, South Africa takes a significant step toward institutionalising life-saving knowledge and cultivating a culture of road safety from a young age,” he said.

In 2017, the RTMC began its mission to integrate structured and effective road safety education into schools, acknowledging the critical necessity for such content.

Zwane noted that while the RTMC does not specialise in education, its expertise in road safety has shaped the development of relevant content aligned with the National Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS).

Through this initiative, RTMC said pupils from Grades 4 to 12 will gain essential knowledge, values, and skills that not only enhance their safety but also empower them to influence their families and communities.

Teacher training and content contextualisation have also been prioritised to ensure the material is engaging and relevant to diverse learner groups.

RTMC CEO, Advocate Makhosini Msibi, said this inclusion ensures that road safety education is not treated as a once-off campaign but becomes part of the national consciousness, embedded in the values and knowledge of every pupil.

“We are extremely proud to see road safety formally introduced into classrooms across the country,” said Msibi.

The RTMC said it is committed to supporting the rollout, teacher training, and long-term sustainability of this vital intervention.

“We believe that road safety education at the school level lays the foundation for a safer, more responsible road-using public — ultimately saving lives.”

During the launch of the textbook series, consisting of 21 books and teacher guides, the department said other funding partners include the Road Accident Fund, South African Human Rights Commission, South African Sugar Association, Railway Safety Regulator, UNICEF, Eskom, Nestlé, and Momentum Metropolitan Holdings.

Dr Patricia Watson, chief director for social inclusion and partnerships at the DBE, said these textbooks are more than just learning materials; “they are roadmaps to self-discovery and empowerment”.

Deputy Education Minister Reginah Mhaule said the textbook series empowers pupils to connect with their futures and make a positive difference in their own lives and society.

“It helps children and adolescents make informed choices about health, nutrition, safety, mental well-being, sexuality, physical fitness, and technology.

“These textbooks also guide them in managing their emotions, maintaining healthy relationships, and understanding their civic responsibilities under South Africa’s laws and Constitution,” said Mhaule.

NECT CEO Godwin Khosa said the impact of these textbooks depends on us all.

“To our educators: You carry forward this mission. To our learners: you inspire us to aim higher. And to our partners: your support helps transform opportunity into reality,” he said.

Khosa said together, we can make sure that every child in South Africa is equipped with the tools to “Gear Up for Greatness”.

“Let us honour the legacy of 1976 by creating a future where no dream is out of reach and no person’s potential is left untapped,” he concluded.

karen.singh@inl.co.za