1. Back to School Campaign
Phase 1 - Report Back
Presentation to MANCO
1
on 17 February 2011

2. Background of Back to School
The Back to School campaign is an ongoing project on the calendar of
events, of the National Rail Crime Combating Forum’s Communication
(NRCCF) Sub-committee.
The NRCCF Communication Sub-Committee members represent
communication teams from:
 The Railway Safety Regulator
 Transnet Freight Rail
 Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa &
 SAPS Railway Police.
Additional stakeholders involved in the campaign include:
School principals & School Governing Bodies;
Municipal Ward Councillors; Municipal Community Safety Officers;
Community Policing Forums; SABC & Community media (print & radio)
2

3. Objectives
 To increase awareness about the dangers of rail: trains, infrastructure goods
in transit
 To positively influence the attitudes and behaviour of communities around
railway areas
 Target identified “hot spots’’ for intensive information and developmental
initiatives
 To position the Railway Safety Regulator as a caring and responsible
corporate citizen and government entity
 To inculcate a culture of safety among school children and youth

4. Number of learners reached = 12 122
7156 in Phase 1 ( 9 February 2011 – 14 February 2011)
Provinces covered: Gauteng, North West & Limpopo
(township & rural schools near railway lines)
School’s name & Province Number of learners at
presentation
Hleketani Primary School (LP) 86
Albert Luthuli Primary School (LP) 1077
Spa Park Primary School (LP) 1165
Ruabohlale High School (GP) 1132
Mmakau Moemise Primary School (NW) 700
Pfunzo Ndi Tshedza Primary School (GP) 758
Bula Dikgoro Primary School (GP) 1188
Ramahlale Primary School (GP) 1050
Total 7156

5. Number of learners reached
4966 in Phase 2 ( 17 February 2011 – 22 February 2011)
Provinces covered: Gauteng & North West
(township & rural schools near railway lines)
School’s name & Province Number of learners at
presentation
Rodney Mokoena Primary School (GP) 1507
Shalom Primary School (GP) 960
Polonia Primary School (NW) 384
Sephola Banatso Middle School (NW) 550
Refitlhile-Pele Primary School (GP) 1565
Total 4966

6. Rationale for Rail Safety at Schools
•Children are among the most
vulnerable to rail related incidents
and fatalities
•We also rely on these young
people to be the “safety
ambassadors in their schools,
homes and communities
•Educating the youngsters on rail
safety encourages whistle-blowing
& discourages them from
vandalism, staff-riding & loitering in
the rail reserve.
Above: Bela-Bela level crossing, near Albert
•The current TFR TV & Radio Luthuli Primary (which was visited during
campaign featuring a young child the campaign), was the scene of a fatal level
playing with a ball on the rail line is crossing accident in January, involving
still fresh in the youngsters’ minds. learners and a teacher. 6

7. Stakeholder mix & roles
 No cost implication
 Railway Safety
 Providing information (pamphlets)
Regulator
 Promotional items (caps, t-shirts, lanyards)
 Campaign staff
 Budget & profiling safety through TV & radio
 Stakeholder Management units provide links
 Operators (TFR with community organisations & schools
& PRASA)  Providing information (pamphlets)
 Promotional items (diaries, time tables,
squeeze bottles, pens, desk calendars)
 Campaign staff
 Ward councillors,  Councillor & Safety Officers speak to
Community learners
Safety officers &  Adopt-A-Cop programme provides network
CPFs. with schools

8. Key messages
 Railway Safety begins with me
 Anytime is train-time: Goods
trains operate 24-hours a day.
 ABCs of Rail Safety:
- Always Stop at level Crossings
- Be Alert, Be Careful
- Call a teacher, Call a Parent
 Spara-Para Kills!
 Always keep 15 metres away from a railway line.
 Don’t throw stones, play sport!
 Cargo theft & cable theft ain’t cool.
Messages are explained to the learners according to age-group & in the language
spoken at the school.

9. Target Areas
 Informal and Formal settlements near rail lines
 Close proximity to the rail network/ infrastructure
 Areas where Motorists go over rail crossings regularly
 Farming communities near railway lines - livestock crossing the rail
 Areas where crime is rife : goods stolen from stationary trains ,cable theft ,
etc
 Areas identified as “hot spots” in terms of rail safety e.g. stone throwing
incidents , vandalism

10. Format of each school visit
 The team & stakeholders visit
schools during assembly, break or a
time set aside by the Principal (eg a
classroom for a smaller group).
 In a 30 to 40 minute session, each
entity explains who they are, what
they do & gives safety tips & hotline
numbers to the children, in a way
they can understand (songs,
recitations, games) & in the
language spoken at the school.
 A mini-drama/short skit on level
crossings is presented, in which the
children are directed to act out a
scene.10 children & 1 or 2 facilitators
form a train and 5 children cross at a 10
“level crossing.”

11. Format of each school visit (cntd)
 Learners are asked
questions about rail safety,
from the preceding
presentation & those who
answer correctly receive
promotional items
 Educators & members of
the CPFs & SGBs are
issued with pamphlets &
encouraged to continue
educating the children after
the campaigners have left.
 The School Principal, Deputy or an HOD at the school is then given an
evaluation/feedback form to complete, rating us as the communicators on the
efficacy of the presentation. The forms are certified with the date & school stamp
for our records & auditing purposes. 11

12. Issues highlighted by
School Principals
 All school principals indicated the campaign should visit their schools at
least twice a year and if possible, 4 times per year (at the start of each
term). This is because learners need to hear the messages regularly in
order to internalise them.
 Crimes around the rail environment
remain a concern in all schools
visited(learners staff-riding,
vandalism, stone throwing,
muggings of learners near tracks
& rail bridges)
 Campaigners were asked to assist
with sourcing sponsors & other support
for disabled or at risk children.

13. Issues highlighted by
School Principals (cntd)
 Rua Bohlale Primary’s principal (Soshanguve), alerted us of a
railway bridge that is so damaged, that learners prefer to cross the
line on foot. Safety Assurance has been alerted.
 A local construction company is digging out soil a few metres away
from the track. This has resulted in a large ditch forming, which
periodically fills with water when it rains. A child drowned during the
heat-wave in December 2010. Safety Assurance has been alerted.
 Bula Dikgoro Primary (Mamelodi) requested 2 RSR reflective jackets
for the CPF patrollers, who will watch over children at the nearby
level crossing & rail bridge. Children from the informal settlement
need to cross the bridge to reach their school in the township.

14. Issues highlighted by
School Principals (cntd)
 Ramahlale Primary
School’s (Mamelodi)
principal suggested
promotional items
specific to children
with our key
messages printed on
them eg rulers (as
the children use them
daily) as well as T-
shirts & caps with
hotlines printed on
them.
 Motorist behaviour ( school taxi drivers). A campaign targeting the drivers
was suggested, streamlined with SANTACO’s Hlokomela Campaign.

15. Questions & Answers
Presented by
Lavinia Mahlangu
Communication Manager
Tel: (011) 417 002 Mobile: 082 791 3410
Email address: Laviniam@rsr.org.za website: www.rsr.org.za

16. Thank you