Mandatory Inspection Of All Schools. All public and private schools in the country are being inspected by the Ministry of Education to determine whether safety requirements are being followed.
Julius Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education, has emphasized how important it is to make sure that set safety procedures are followed.
In a news release on Wednesday, CS Julius Ogamba stated that the inspections’ main goal will be to enforce adherence to the Safety Standards Manual.
These inspections will be carried out by a multi-agency team that includes members from the Ministries of Education, Interior, and Health.
The exercise will also include participation from representatives of the Kenya Red Cross, County Governments, and the Department of Public Works.
Addressing Recent School Fires
Ogamba announced that these inspections are aimed at identifying the root causes behind the recent increase in school fires reported throughout the country.
The inspection process involves collaboration between officials from several government bodies, including the Ministries of Education, Interior, and Health, as well as the Department of Public Works.
Additionally, officers from county governments and the Kenya Red Cross are participating in the initiative.
Mandatory Inspection Of All Schools
The Ministry has enforced several policies to ensure that both public and private boarding schools comply with safety standards that aim to create a secure environment for learners.
Among these policies is the key document, the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya. Schools have been encouraged to intensify their efforts to improve student safety according to these guidelines.
Ogamba stressed that the government seeks to make informed recommendations to address the situation, especially in cases where new interventions are needed beyond addressing indiscipline, which had been a common issue in past years.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
The CS warned that any Ministry of Education officials, school administrators, or managers who violate the safety guidelines will face strict consequences.
As per the Education CS, boarding primary and junior secondary schools are the focus of the inspection’s initial phase.
Secondary schools will be the focus of the second phase. Ogamba emphasized that school safety enforcement is crucial, citing the horrific fire at Hillside Endarasha Academy, which claimed the lives of 21 children.
The necessity of these inspections is highlighted by the recent spike in school fire occurrences, which includes one case at Homa Bay County’s John Mbadi Secondary School.
The Government’s Assured School Safety Commitment.
The public was reassured by the Education Ministry of its unwavering dedication to preserving secure, favorable learning conditions in all schools.
Ogamba underlined that the Ministry would continue to be watchful in helping schools maintain the security requirements for high-quality instruction.
Mandatory Inspection Of All Schools