The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the ministry for road transport and highways are jointly organising a national-level filmmaking contest under the theme 'Road Safety India'.

The contest is open to CBSE school students, employees and parents. The idea is to make students aware of road safety. Winning entries would be screened during the National Road Safety Week from January 11 to 17 every year. The winner will pocket Rs 2 lakh, the first runner-up Rs 1 lakh and second runner-up Rs 50,000. Besides, five consolation prizes of Rs 20,000 each too would be up for grabs.

Participants would have to submit films of two-and-a-half-minute duration on road safety-related issues, including traffic signals, overloading, drink driving, use of helmets and cyclist safety.

An eminent panel of jurists would judge the films. Judging criteria would revolve around originality, creativity and innovation in delivering the theme message.

CBSE director, academics, Sadhana Parashar said: 'This is a national-level event and entries have to be sent latest by December 15. The entries should not be uploaded on any other website, like YouTube or Facebook, as winning videos will be screened at the National Road Safety Week.'

Voiceover for the film should be either in English or Hindi. Once uploaded on the CBSE website, the submission cannot be withdrawn. The ministry may remove, delete and forfeit inappropriate submissions. All films once submitted will be the property of road transport ministry and could be used by organisers as on and when basis. To register, one has to send a mail to p.singhal@nic.in with details.

But many CBSE school principals in Patna are not happy with the board's initiative. 'We need proper planning for better implementation of any project. The schools at the regional level are informed quite late,' BSEB DAV public school principal Ramauj Prasad said.

Another CBSE school principal, who preferred anonymity, said: 'CBSE officials seem to be in a hurry to launching new projects,' he said. He also questioned the timing of the launch. With board examinations just two months away those appearing for it won't be able to take part in such events, he said.

Students and parents, however, had a different take. 'I think the initiative is appreciable. I have asked my younger son to take part in the competition,' said Nitu Sinha, mother of a Class VII student.