PN Proposes School Wardens for Safer Traffic Zones

Imagine the scene at 8:30 AM on Triq il-Kbira, Birkirkara. A bustling street, teeming with parents dropping off their children at the nearby school. Cars double-parked, engines idling, and a symphony of horns blaring. This is the daily reality for many Maltese schools. But what if there was a way to tame this traffic chaos?

The Nationalist Party (PN) has proposed an innovative solution to manage traffic outside all schools in Malta. The party is suggesting the introduction of school wardens, a move that could significantly improve safety and order in school zones.

The PN’s proposal, outlined in their election manifesto, envisions a team of trained wardens stationed outside schools during peak hours. These wardens would not only manage traffic flow but also ensure that parents adhere to parking rules and keep their children safe.

PN Education Spokesperson Dr. Robert Cutajar explained, “Our proposal is about creating a safer, more orderly environment around our schools. Wardens will not only help manage traffic but also educate parents and children about road safety.”

Malta is not the first country to consider school wardens. Similar initiatives have been implemented in the UK, where lollipop people, as they’re known, have been helping children cross roads safely for decades. Closer to home, Italian schools often have wardens managing traffic and ensuring order.

Dr. Cutajar added, “We’ve seen how successful these initiatives can be abroad. There’s no reason why we can’t replicate this model here in Malta, tailoring it to our specific needs.”

So, how would this work in practice? The PN envisions a team of around 200 wardens, trained and certified by the Malta Police Force. They would be deployed outside schools during peak hours, using stop/go signs to manage traffic and ensure children’s safety.

PN leader Bernard Grech emphasized, “This is not about adding more bureaucracy. It’s about investing in our children’s safety. We believe this is a practical, effective solution that can make a real difference.”

As the school year draws to a close, the PN’s proposal offers a glimpse into a safer, more orderly future for Maltese schools. With the next general election on the horizon, it’s a proposal that’s worth considering.

As Dr. Cutajar puts it, “Our children deserve the safest possible environment as they start and end their school day. That’s what we’re fighting for with this proposal.”