Report Reveals Boarding Schools Are Now Death Traps

Report Reveals Boarding Schools Are Now Death Traps. A recent analysis conducted by the Usawa Agenda highlights alarming safety concerns in the majority of boarding schools across the country, raising significant apprehensions about the well-being of children.

According to the report, schools lack adequate disaster preparedness measures, with the spacing between students’ beds in dormitories often falling short of required safety standards. Shockingly, less than half of the assessed boarding schools nationwide were found to comply with safety regulations.

The Usawa Agenda’s secondary school survey report, unveiled during a presentation on Wednesday, shed light on the concerning state of school safety.

Despite the introduction of the 2008 Safety Standards Manual for Schools, compliance remains low, especially in mixed sub-county schools where only 21.3% meet safety criteria for dormitory spacing.

Girls’ schools exhibit lower compliance rates compared to boys’ schools, except for private institutions. Additionally, mixed schools, unlike special schools, often fail to adhere to safety protocols.

Furthermore, a significant number of schools lack clear labeling of fire and emergency assembly locations, indicating a widespread lack of awareness and enforcement of safety requirements among school administrations.

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Financial constraints exacerbate safety issues, with the majority of schools reporting inadequate budget allocations for safety and security measures. Shockingly, 28% of schools had no budget allocation for safety at all.

Moreover, insufficient funding to accommodate the increased student population resulting from the 100% transition program further strains resources and compromises safety standards.

Emmanuel Manyasa, CEO of Usawa Agenda, attributes these challenges to misplaced priorities and poor planning within school administrations. He questions the rationale behind investing in non-essential amenities like school buses while neglecting critical infrastructure needs such as adequate dormitory facilities.

Manyasa criticizes government oversight agencies for failing to ensure the quality and safety of schools, highlighting a broader indifference to safety issues, evident not only in schools but also on the country’s roads. The skewed distribution of resources disproportionately impacts smaller sub-county schools, leaving them under-resourced and understaffed compared to larger institutions.

Silas Obuhatsa, Chairman of the National Parents Association, echoes concerns about the safety of learners, emphasizing the urgent need for increased funding and support for safety initiatives.

Similarly, Lucy Njeri, Chief Principal of Loreto Kiambu Girls, calls for a more equitable allocation of funds based on schools’ unique needs to address infrastructure deficiencies and improve overall safety standards. Report Reveals Boarding Schools Are Now Death Traps