KATHMANDU, Nepal – November 2024 — The Nepal Automobiles’ Association (NASA), in partnership with the AIP Foundation and supported by the FIA Foundation, has successfully implemented groundbreaking safety improvements at two schools in Nepal, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s road safety efforts. This initiative brought essential infrastructure upgrades and road safety education to schools in Dhulikhel Municipality and Lalitpur District, raising school entrance Star Ratings from 1.0 to 4.5 and 4.2, using the Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) methodology.
A New Model for School Zone Safety
As part of the initiative, Sanjiwani Higher Secondary School in Dhulikhel in Dhulikhel Municipality and Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School in Lalitpur District received dedicated footpaths, protective railings, high-visibility zebra crossings, speed-calming measures, and a reduced speed limit of 30 km/h, ensuring a much safer journey for students. These modifications align with the SR4S model, which employs evidence-based research to guide road safety interventions for schoolchildren and has been successfully implemented in 74 countries.
The project has garnered strong local support and is sparking a broader conversation on road safety improvements in Nepal. The Dhulikhel municipal government has committed an estimated 4 million rupees to expand the footpath and improve the road surface in the area surrounding Sanjiwani Higher Secondary School. Meanwhile, the Lalitpur Road Division Office has committed to maintaining the road safety modifications installed around Adarsha Saula Yubak School, ensuring long-term effectiveness of these interventions.
Promoting Road Safety Awareness Among Students
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the project incorporated road safety training sessions at project schools, equipping students with essential knowledge and fostering responsible behaviors on the road. Both schools have expressed interest in making road safety education a formal part of their curriculum, embedding a culture of safety from a young age
Expanding the Movement for Safer School Zones Across Nepal
Building on the success of this project, Nepal plans to replicate this road safety model in additional schools across Bagmati Province, promoting government-led improvements to expand the initiative’s reach and impact.
A Regional Collaborative Effort
This project is part of a broader collaboration launched in November 2023 by the AIP Foundation, FIA Foundation, and iRAP to empower FIA Region II Clubs in advancing school zone safety. The programme began with training for FIA Region II Clubs, focusing on tools and strategies to improve school zone safety across the region, including the SR4S methodology and the FIA School Assessment toolkit. Following this, the Clubs were invited to apply for a grant to implement a local school safety project. After a rigorous selection process, NASA was chosen to lead this pioneering effort with the guidance and mentorship of AIP Foundation.
“We are honored to lead this initiative, made possible by the generous financial support of the FIA Foundation and the close mentoring of the AIP Foundation, marking a significant step forward in enhancing school zone safety in Nepal,” said Subas Bhattarai, Project Coordinator at Nepal Automobiles’ Association (NASA). “Through this project, we are not only creating safer pathways for our children but also establishing a standard that we hope will inspire communities across the region. Our vision is for every school in Nepal to achieve a 3-star or higher rating for student pedestrians, and this is just the beginning.”
For further information about the project:
https://starratingforschools.org/2023/11/fia-region-ii-clubs-enhance-school-zone-safety-expertise/
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