Leveraging regional strengths for safer school zones across Asia Pacific with Star Ratings for Schools in Nepal

Image credit: AIP Foundation

Original article from the AIP Foundation

KATHMANDU, Nepal – April 22-24, 2024

In October 2023, the AIP Foundation, FIA Foundation, and iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme) were proud to announce a new collaboration to build capacity for all FIA Region II Clubs. Funded by the FIA Foundation, the first phase of the program focused on the Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) methodology developed by iRAP.

Using Star Ratings for Schools for Regional Impact 

Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) is an evidence-based tool for measuring, managing, and communicating the risks children are exposed to on a journey to school. It supports quick interventions that save lives and prevent serious injuries from day one. This methodology is the basis of school-based programs at AIP Foundation, as well as of the FIA School Assessment toolkit.

This short complimentary program aims to give ready-to-use knowledge and tools to the clubs, starting with an internationally recognized methodology – widely used in road safety programs and acknowledged by decision-makers. The program has also presented a chance for one of the clubs to receive funding to drive change in their country which the Nepal Automobiles’ Association won.  Following 4 free online participation training sessions with road safety experts in critical topic areas most relevant for safe mobility project implementation, the Nepal Automobiles’ Association was selected and secured funding for school zone upgrades and support in implementation.

Safeguarding the next generation of students in Nepal 

In April 2024, the AIP Foundation team visited the Nepal Automobiles’ Association to, meet with local government and school representatives of the two target schools in Lalitpur district and Dhulikhel municipality visit to the schools to observe the traffic situation and infrastructure conditions, carry out school assessments using the SR4S tool and to hold a meeting with local government officials and the NASA team to provide the local government stakeholders with the Star Rating for Schools project details and overview.

“Our team had a great visit with the Nepal Automobiles’ Association to see first-hand where the school zone modifications will take place. Having dedicated over half a decade to the development and application of SR4S across Vietnam, we are now excited to embark on the next phase—sharing our insights and accomplishments with new friends and partners in Nepal to safeguard the next generation of students,” shares Quyen Bui, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at AIP Foundation.

In the next few months, the Nepal Automobiles Association will continue to work with the local government to develop the designs for road infrastructure upgrades and school zone modifications.

Useful resources: 

• To see more photos of the field trip to Nepal, please click here. 
• To read more about this program, please click here.
• To read more on social media about our team’s visit to Nepal, please click here.