President Ruto Orders Nationwide School Safety Audit.
President William Ruto has instructed the Education and Interior ministries to audit the compliance of all schools with safety standards and regulations.
This comes after a recent tragedy in which 21 students died in a school fire, prompting immediate action from the government to ensure the safety of learners.
In response to the directive, the Ministry of Education announced the first phase of inspections across both public and private boarding schools.
The purpose of these inspections is to assess compliance with safety standards. Various government agencies will collaborate on this inspection process, which follows the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire in Nyeri County that claimed 21 lives.
The tragedy has also triggered unrest in schools nationwide, with critics blaming the government for not adequately enforcing safety guidelines.
The Nyeri Tragedy
During a press briefing, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba emphasized the importance of enforcing school safety regulations in light of the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire.
He underscored that the fire, which resulted in the deaths of 21 students, highlighted the critical need for strict adherence to safety protocols by both the government and school managers.
CS Ogamba’s statement was made after a meeting with President Ruto, where he was accompanied by other key officials, including Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, Interior PS Raymond Omollo, and Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala.
At this meeting, the President reiterated the urgency of investigating the fire and ensuring schools comply with boarding regulations.
CS Ogamba also revealed that the inspection would involve several entities, including the Ministry of Health, the Department of Public Works, county governments, and the Red Cross.
The decision to conduct the inspection was driven by the recent surge in school fires, which have caused significant damage in numerous institutions. The government aims to investigate the causes behind these fires and propose solutions to prevent further incidents.
Compliance with Safety Standards
The inspection will also focus on ensuring schools comply with the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya. CS Ogamba highlighted that some schools have disregarded these safety guidelines, resulting in accidents, fatalities, and the destruction of property.
The 2020 audit by the Office of the Auditor-General revealed that many schools lack adequate fire safety preparedness, citing challenges such as insufficient infrastructure and limited fire safety training.
The inspection will take place in two phases. The first phase will cover all boarding primary and junior schools, while the second will focus on secondary schools.
Ogamba warned that strict measures would be taken against officials and school managers found violating the Safety Standards Manual for Schools, in line with the Basic Education Act, 2013.
Exam Preparations
Additionally, the Education Cabinet Secretary urged schools to utilize the remaining time efficiently in preparing for the upcoming national examinations, which include the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
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President Ruto Orders Nationwide School Safety Audit.
