Boys Feel Safer in Schools Compared to Girls, Study Reveals.
A recent study has shown that boys in Kenyan schools feel more secure than girls. This disparity is attributed to better safety measures in boys’ schools, as detailed in a report released on Thursday by Usawa Gender.
The report highlights that boys’ schools nationwide demonstrate a higher level of compliance with safety protocols, reaching 67 percent.
In contrast, girls’ schools lag behind, with fewer resources and less emphasis on safety measures. Specifically, the study revealed that 85 percent of boys’ secondary schools have medical personnel, compared to 55 percent of girls’ schools. Additionally, the availability of school clinics stands at 50.3 percent for boys and 41.5 percent for girls.
The study, conducted between June and July of the previous year, also found that boys’ high schools employ more first-aid-trained staff (57.2 percent) than girls’ schools (50.9 percent).
Gender Disparities in Education
Usawa Agenda Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa stated that the findings reveal significant differences in the investments made between boys’ and girls’ schools.
These disparities could be contributing to the academic achievement gap, which often favors boys. Manyasa noted that this is contrary to the country’s goal of providing gender-transformative education to all students.
The issue of safety in schools has gained heightened attention following a tragic fire earlier this month, which claimed the lives of 21 boys at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri County.
During the launch of the “Gender Report 2024” in Nairobi, Kenya National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa urged the government to involve parents in the development of safety frameworks.
Obuhatsa emphasized that parents are directly affected by school incidents and called for their participation in creating policies to enhance the safety of all learners. He added that parents should receive training on school safety systems to help mitigate incidents like fires.
Recent Fire Incidents
In recent weeks, several other secondary school fires have raised concerns about student safety. These incidents have prompted the government to take action, including increased inspections of public and private boarding schools by the Ministry of Education to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Additionally, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued warnings to headteachers who have not adhered to the safety guidelines.
The TSC announced that disciplinary action will be taken against non-compliant schools under the Code of Regulations for Teachers and the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Ongoing Gender Equality Efforts
While discussions on gender equality in schools continue, the Ministry of Gender has acknowledged the report’s importance in shaping future policies.
The ministry is in the process of revising the National Gender Development policy, with plans to address safety concerns in both boys’ and girls’ schools.
The survey also revealed that boys’ schools are generally better equipped in areas such as laboratory materials and teacher staffing. Purity Ngina, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Gender and Equality Commission, expressed concern over this inequality, stating that many investments in the education system disproportionately favor boys.
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Ngina urged the government to take action to rectify this situation, noting that the statistics were deeply concerning.
Conclusion
The disparities in safety and resources between boys’ and girls’ schools require urgent attention from both the government and stakeholders to ensure equal treatment and safety for all students.
Boys Feel Safer in Schools Compared to Girls, Study Reveals.
