School Safety Measures Ignored Since 2015 Despite Court Directive
In 2015, school safety measures were introduced but have consistently been disregarded, leading the High Court to issue a directive for mandatory compliance.
These measures, encompassing sanitation provisions and specific spacing regulations within dormitories, have gained heightened importance due to the current congestion crisis in schools.
The legal foundation for school safety is rooted in the Basic Education Act No. 14 of 2013 and the Ministry of Education Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya 2008.
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According to Justice Lagat Korir in September 2019, an institution cannot be licensed unless its premises and accommodations adhere to the prescribed occupational health and safety regulations.
In school dormitories, regulations dictate that bed spacing should be a minimum of 1.2 meters, while corridor or pathway space should not be less than two meters.
Doorways, at least five feet wide, must open outward and should never be locked from the outside when learners are present.
Additionally, dormitory doors must remain locked when learners are in class or on the playing fields, with keys held by either the dormitory master/mistress or the dormitory prefect.
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Dormitory windows should lack grills, be easily openable outwards, and fire extinguishing equipment should be operational, placed at each exit, with fire alarms easily accessible.
Moreover, guidelines recommend the posting of “no trespassing” and “visitors report to the head teacher’s office” signs at the main gate.
Visitors are required to sign a register, record their IDs at the gate, and have the gatekeeper verify the validity of their IDs. The IDs are to be returned only upon signing out.
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Schools without a valid title deed, confirmed after verification with the Ministry of Lands or relevant authority, should either secure ownership of the land or relocate to their own grounds. For multi-story buildings, stairways must be wide and located at both ends, free of obstructions.
Sanitation structures should be constructed at least 10 meters away from tuition and boarding facilities and on the downwind side.
Pit latrines must be a minimum of six meters deep, regularly disinfected, and situated at least 15 meters away from a borehole, well, or water supply point. In mixed schools, the girls’ sanitation area must be separate, ensuring complete privacy.
For boys’ schools, at least one-third of the fittings should be closets, with the remainder as urinals.
Special considerations must be made for learners with special needs and very young learners. Staff sanitation requires a minimum of one closet for every 12 persons, with separate provisions for men and women.
School Safety Measures Ignored Since 2015 Despite Court Directive
