Assessment on Compliance to Safety Standards for Boarding Primary and Junior Schools in Kenya -September and October, 2024

Assessment on Compliance to Safety Standards for Boarding Primary and Junior Schools in Kenya -September and October, 2024

Executive Summary Report

0. Preamble:

The assessment of boarding primary and junior schools was initiated in response to the directive of the President to the Ministries of Education and Interior to audit all schools for compliance with safety standards after the tragic fire at Hill Side Endarasha Academy on September 5, 2024, which resulted in the death of 21 students.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education announced on September 11, 2024, that Ministry of Education officers, in collaboration with relevant agencies, would conduct urgent inspections of all public and private schools across Kenya.

The inspection began in Nairobi from September 10th to 17th, 2024, and continued in the remaining seven regions from September 13th to October 24th, 2024. The assessments were conducted by field officers and quality assurance officers to ensure compliance to safety guidelines.

0. Purpose of the Assessment

The purpose of the assessment was to determine the level of compliance of Boarding Primary and Junior Schools to school safety standards as provided in the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya (MOE 2008), Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (MOE 2021) and other relevant laws.

3.0 Number of Schools NOT Approved Per Region:

These schools grossly contravened the provisions of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya (2008) and also failed to adhere to standards as prescribed in the Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021).

4.0 Reasons for Closure:

4.1 Registration Status: Majority of these schools were not registered as boarding institutions and therefore were operating illegally.

4.2 Safety standards in the Dormitories: Most of these schools had dormitories with grills on the windows, single exits and doors that opened inwards hence compromising safety of the occupants. Some of the dormitories were repurposed buildings such as dining halls, classrooms and workshops. These facilities had undergone modifications without approval from relevant authorities, including public health, public works, and NEMA. Congestion in the dormitories was common in these schools and the spacing of 1.2mtrs between the beds was not adhered to. The learners were sleeping on double deckers, while some had wooden beds which is a catalyst to fires, in case of emergency. Majority of the dormitories in these institutions had not adhered to the needs of learners with disabilities.

4.3 Status of Sanitation and water: The sanitation facilities in most of these schools were poorly maintained and inadequate. In some schools, toilets did not have doors and in some cases, the shutters were not age appropriate. In most school, sanitation units for boys and girls were located in the same direction/area. Most of these schools did not provide treated drinking water for learners.

4.4 Fire Safety Equipment and Materials: In most of these schools, fire extinguishers were not serviced regularly, other firefighting equipment such as sand buckets, horse reels with water and smoke detectors were not available.  

4.5 Status of Security systems: In some of these schools, the fence was porous and without gates. In some instances where gates were available, they were not manned. CCTV cameras had not been installed in the boarding area as required. Boarding registers were not regularly updated. Most Heads of these Institutions were not residing in school as required. Most schools did not engage female night security guards to take care of the security needs of female learners, instead there were male guards for girls.

4.6 Status of Safety in the Kitchen and Dining Hall: In most of these schools, kitchens had poor drainage, inappropriate solid waste disposal and unsuitable chopping surfaces. Most dining halls did not have adequate chairs and tables. In some instances, where furniture was  available, they were not age appropriate. Most cooks had no valid medical certificates.

4.7 Consideration of Learners’ Welfare: Some schools had admitted boarders who were in pre-primary level. In some of these schools, learners were not provided with balanced diet. Neither were there sickbays nor qualified nurses employed. Some of the schools which had swimming pools did not adhere to safety standards in terms of construction and maintenance. The schools had not engaged wardens to look after the boys in the dormitories at night.

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations

The boarding section of the 348 schools had not met the minimum standards to host learners who are boarders and should be closed with immediate effect until safety standards are met.

EVELYNE OWOKO

HEAD DIRECTORATE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STANDARDS