The Ministry of Education is pushing for the adoption of recommendations from a 2020 Auditor General report as official regulations, aiming to impose penalties on schools that fail to meet safety standards.
This move comes in the wake of the recent Endarasha Hillside Academy fire, which has reignited concerns about student safety in schools and prompted a review of the state of school facilities nationwide.
An April 2024 report by the Usawa Agenda, a non-profit organization, highlighted severe issues with overcrowded dormitories in some schools, describing them as potential disaster zones.
The report revealed that nearly half of the country’s boarding schools are not following guidelines for bed spacing, which could jeopardize student safety during emergencies.
The 2020 audit recommended a minimum bed spacing of 1.2 meters in dormitories, but Usawa Agenda found that only 40.5% of schools have implemented this guideline.
Sub-county schools were particularly problematic, with just 24% compliance, compared to 74% in county schools.
National schools fared better, with 96% compliance and 59% of sub-county schools having functional firefighting equipment.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has pledged decisive action against school heads who have not yet complied.
“We cannot allow this situation to persist year after year. We are committed to turning these recommendations into regulations and enforcing penalties,” Migos stated.
With nearly half of school dormitories presenting serious safety risks, the Ministry of Education’s commitment to cracking down on non-compliant schools will be closely watched.
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