CP Rafiki Mujiji, the Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety Department.
Kigali: Rwanda National Police (RNP) has urged public transporters, head-teachers and parents to facilitate and ensure the safety of students, who are going back to school.
According to the Ministry of Education, the first term for the academic year 2020, kicks off on Monday, January, 6.
Students started heading to school this Friday depending on the proximity of the schools.
Friday, January, 3, is reserved for students going to schools in Muhanga, Kamonyi, Nyanza, Huye, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and the City of Kigali.
All students going to schools in Eastern and Northern provinces will depart Saturday.
Sunday is for students going to schools in Ruhango, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu.
However, students joining Senior One and Senior Four were given a week-long extension to their holidays following the release of their national exam results early this week. They will begin on January 13, to allow them time to prepare for the new term.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, the Commissioner of Traffic and Road Safety Department, assured the public that traffic police were prepared to facilitate traffic movement for the upcoming academic year and urged drivers to respect traffic rules.
“We urge transporters to facilitate students to get to school in time. Students are required to put on school uniform for easy identification, and be at bus stations early,” CP Mujiji said.
He further urged drivers to drive responsibly without rushing or violating road safety standards.
“As usual, don’t overload, regulate your speed and put your phone away when driving.”
CP Mujiji noted that transportation of students should be done in a smooth manner with no “violations and interruptions.”
“Transporters shouldn’t violate road safety standards like over speeding to rush for more trips, which can result into accidents,” CP Mujiji reiterated.
“As an institution charged with public safety, RNP is mandated to ensure that students travel back to school safely, and that other passengers proceed with their businesses without major interruptions,” said CP Mujiji.
“Some drivers have a tendency of speeding so that they can make many rounds, this is completely unacceptable… it’s exposing people’s lives to risks. As usual, Police officers are there to ensure drivers follow road safety standards.”
He appealed to transporters to also ensure that their vehicles are in proper mechanical conditions, and urged passengers to refuse any bad driving or violation of traffic rules and regulations, which put their lives in danger.
The general public and students in particular can report bad driving or any other traffic violations by calling 112, 113, 0788311110 and 0788311155. (End)