Publication: An investigation into the implementation of health and Safety standards in secondary schools in Kakamega Central sub county, Kakamega county, Kenya
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2015-10
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
School safety is an integral and indispensable component of the teaching and learning process.
Despite the importance of school safety, a new wave of mayhem has emerged in our society and
the school has not been spared. There is an upsurge of violence arising quite rapidly. The study
was carried out in Kakamega Central Sub County as most schools in the Sub County have the
health and safety standards but are not pro-active. The level of awareness among the learners, staff,
stakeholders and the school community is low and few if any are aware about safety needs but are
ill prepared. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing the implementation
of the school health and safety standards in secondary schools in Kakamega Central Sub County,
Kakamega County, Kenya. The objectives of the study was to; extent of implementation, levels of
disaster-preparedness, challenges and strategies involved in implementation of health and safety
standards in secondary schools in Kakamega Central Sub County. The study adopted mixed
methods research design. The study targeted 24 secondary schools teachers, 24 head teachers, 4800
students and 5 DQASO in the Sub County. Purposive sampling was used to select the DQASO
and head teachers in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select the students and
teachers. The sample size comprised of 10 head teachers, 72 teachers and 321 students. To test the
validity and reliability of the instruments, a pilot study was conducted in Kakamega North sub-
count. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews schedules, observation schedules and
document analysis. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques to establish
organizational structures responsible for school health and safety, qualitative data will be
summarized based on themes. Most schools had a circular on health and safety standards in their
schools. The safety guideline had been partially implemented in most schools and therefore
creating a risky situation to the occupants of such facilities in case of an emergence. All exit points
from school had not been built according to government’s specification. Majority of the schools
had a copy of safety standards manual. The selective provision of fire equipment, inadequate funds
and fire equipment were the major constraint in implementation of safety standards and
guidelines. There was inadequate knowledge/know how on how to operate the equipment’s and
there was low level of awareness in management of disasters in schools. There is need for First
Aid Kit presence in schools so that students can be equipped to face any circumstances that require
urgent care. The respondents revealed that fire extinguishers were located inside the buildings, the
administration block, dormitories and the kitchen. In order to ensure proper implementation of
health and safety standards in secondary schools there is need for allocating of more funds and
administration being committed to implementing the policy; assist to construct more toilets to
serve the population. The capacity building should be conducted to create enhance awareness on
the importance of health and safety standards in secondary schools. The government should put
in place measures on how to implement the safety standards and guideline and provide a
monitoring base. School management should locate fire extinguishers in strategic places
especially at the exit of every block.
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Educational Planning, Management, Administration