Abstract:
Provision of safety and security of students in learning institutions is a big challenge
globally. In Kenya despite the Ministry of Education (MOE) introducing a safety
standard manual in 2008, many institutions are still unsafe and insecure. The purpose
of this study was to assess the implementation of the safety standard measures in
public primary schools in Bungoma County. The objectives of the research were: to
determine the awareness on safety measures put in place, to find out the major causes
of disasters, to assess the extent of safety policy implementation and to examine the
major challenges faced in the implementation of safety measures in public primary
schools in Bungoma County. The study was based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
theory. The study employed concurrent mixed methods approach and survey
research design. Target population comprised of teachers from 145 public primary
schools in Bungoma South sub-county. Sample size comprised of 1 CSO, 23 head
teachers and 23 teachers in-charge of school safety from 23 public primary schools.
Stratified sampling was used to select 3 zones, simple random sampling was used to
sample 23 schools, purposive sampling was used to sample 1 CSO, 23 head teachers
and 23 teachers. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and
observation schedules. Validity was determined using expert judgment and piloting.
Reliability of the questionnaire was ascertained through test re-test which yielded a
co-efficient of 0.8. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive statistics,
percentages and frequencies and was presented in tables while qualitative data was
analyzed through narrative analysis technique and presented through narration and
direct quotes. The study found out that safety manuals were unavailable in most
schools, there was lack of awareness of safety standards, most schools had abandoned
buildings which posed a security threat, most schools experienced disasters due to
drug and substance abuse, there were no emergency exits and the doorways were
narrow in most schools, mushrooming of schools made it difficult for MOE to
perform its functions and there was lack of supervision of the implementation of
safety measures. The study concluded that implementation of safety standards in
public primary schools was not satisfactory. The study recommends that MOE should
mount in-service courses for teachers to create awareness on safety, MOE to support
institutions financially by putting up facilities like rams and lightning arrestors to
enhance safety and guidance and counselling to be emphasized to curb the major
causes of disasters.