The interactive programs of the Traffic Education Park (PKA) are widely accepted by students, mainly from Primary Education, which is part of the Office of Prevention, Enlightenment and Studies of the Traffic Department of the Headquarters and in which, as is well known, educational visits of students are carried out with the aim of improving knowledge on Road Safety issues. This is the general assessment, which results from the evaluation of the PCA recently carried out by the Center for Educational Research and Evaluation (KEEA) of the Pedagogical Institute, through which other, equally important findings emerged.
In particular, as it turned out, the younger students (of Primary Schools), who had the experience of visiting and training at the University of Macedonia, are more satisfied with the program and its units, compared to the students of Gymnasiums, who generally reported that the material/video they watched there was not so attractive for their age.
However, in addition to the above as well as other points, which should be corrected (and which are presented below), the general evaluation of the program by all participants (students and teachers) was judged to be positive, with the experiential nature of the action being the main axis of satisfaction.
In detail, for the school year 2024-2025 that the survey concerned, the sample consisted of a total of 1,987 students with the largest group being that of students in grades D-F of Primary School and 149 teachers.
To the question "How much did you like the program at the Traffic Education Park?", the vast majority of primary school students (about 7 out of 10) answered "A lot" or "Very much", highlighting practical training with cars and bicycles as the most important positive element. Teachers confirmed this picture, with 96% assessing the transition to the PCA as "extremely useful".
Satisfaction varied among high school students, where in questions such as "How would you characterize the video you watched?", a significant part of the sample expressed a neutral or negative attitude, considering the content less attractive for their age.
The results in percentages
- 75.8% of the students of the third grade of Primary School stated that they learned a lot of information that will be useful to them in their daily lives. The same was answered by 70.7% of students in grades D – F of Primary School and 52.7% of students in grades A – C of Gymnasium.
- 89.7% of the students of the third grade of primary school answered that they would apply too much or too much what they learned at the University of Primary School. The same was answered by 74.9% of students in grades D – F of Primary School and 55.6% of students in grades A – C of Gymnasium.
- 50.4% of teachers answered that they liked the experiential part of the program. 33.1% answered that they liked the presentation of the program. 20.2% of teachers answered that the experiential part of the program should last longer and 33.9% suggested that its time be increased so that more people can take part.
The evaluation and the CCP
The Traffic Department of the Police Headquarters asked the KEEA to evaluate the action of the PKA. This evaluation is being carried out for the first time. The main purpose of the survey was to evaluate the effectiveness of the action of the CCP, which was launched in 2001. The study focused on investigating the degree of satisfaction of both students and teachers, who participate in this action. At the same time, it sought to provide documented feedback to the competent bodies to identify any problems or challenges. In addition, the research aimed to assess the contribution of the program, to enhance students' knowledge about road safety and its application in everyday life.
The CCA is a simulation of an urban road network. It covers an area of approximately 15,000 sq.m. and has a closed lecture hall. Since September 17, 2001 – when it began its operation – more than 14,000 people have visited it every year. The Traffic Department of the Police Headquarters systematically organizes lectures and workshops on Road Safety for students studying in private and public educational institutions. The workshops concern all age groups (Kindergartens, Primary, Junior High and High Schools).
The purpose of the evaluation of the action of the CCA is:
-The degree of satisfaction with its actions by the students and teachers who attend its interactive programs.
- Providing feedback with the ultimate goal of improving the actions of the children and road safety
