Traffic awareness program for Panama kids
A MOVE to improve Panama’s lamentable road safety record is under way starting with disabled children.
The MAPFRE Foundation, the Ministry of Community Affairs and the Social Development Ministry have signed an agreement for a education plan for children aged 8 -12 years, in the expanded Traffic Playground, in Parque Omar.
The agreement includes children with disabilities and was signed by the First Lady, Marta Linares de Martinelli who said the program will help reduce the risk of social exclusion and seek a balance between physical and sensory play for children and girls with disabilities, or not, have fun together.
"Promoting the integration of children with disabilities remains a pending task for society and the government” she said,
In addition to the Children's Traffic Park, and classroom training for audiovisual presentations and distribution of educational material on road safety, the agreement includes the implementation of a road safety education program over the next 5 years, said Juan Antonio Arias, on behalf of the MAPFRE Foundation.
"There will be bikes and equipment that children can use for free, following the road signs of the track in a safe environment” he said.
The park in which students learn while having fun, can be visited by primary and secondary schools, children, and there is information for oldervisitors, with the support of teachers trained in road safety issues.