A  joint community police team comprised of the UNMISS and the South Sudan National Police service conducted an interactive session of crime prevention awareness including traffic rules and regulations of South Sudan to the 250 pupils of Dumak primary school. The pupils were picked from all the classes of the school.  The pupils also learned about the UNMISS mandate.

Pernilla Eriksson, an UNPOL officer said the pupils are very young and must have a bright future; they should listen and must be guided to make choice. The police and prison cells are not a place for children.

“You must listen to your elders, and make choices that are proper for your future, I‘ve been to Torit prison and it is not the place for you to be as young as you are,” Eriksson explained.

Rambabu Yarlagadda, also an UNPOL officer, urged the pupils to refrain from criminal activity and follow the advice of their teachers, citing knowledge is power.

Yarlagadda said, “I encourage you to avoid taking part in crimes, follow your teachers’ advice, because knowledge is power and it comes through education.”

An SSNPS traffic officer, Gabriel Lobate, encouraged the pupils to know the traffic rules and regulation of the country, and to qualify to be good drivers.

Rogato Marcelo, the head teacher of the school, hailed the importance of the interactive session, hopes that more such sessions take place throughout the country in the future.