This stance is a direct response to the alarming number of fires that have swept through various institutions during the critical third term, TSC cautioning school heads against flouting directives on safety standards in their institutions.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has put immense pressure on school heads across the country in a bid to tame the rising school fire outbreaks across the country through stricter measures to crack down on indiscipline cases, which include even jailing of students who are perpetrators of arson.
This stance is a direct response to the alarming number of fires that have swept through various institutions during the critical third term, TSC cautioning school heads against flouting directives on safety standards in their institutions.
In a circular dated September 13, 2024, TSC CEO Nancy Macharia expressed that a few school heads have failed to implement the provisions of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools, the key policy document governing the welfare of learners.
This is in line with the provisions of the Code of Regulations for Teachers and the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
Scene at Hillside Endarasha Academy following a fire tragedy on September 6, 2024. /MACHARIA WANGUI
The Safety Standards Manual for Schools is crucial for maintaining order and ensuring the well-being of students. However, the sluggish implementation of the manual has left some learning institutions exposed to even the slightest form of unrest.
Macharia directed the school heads to enforce all the provisions of the manual, circulars issued without fail and enhance the supervision of learners to ensure all cases of learner indiscipline or unrest are promptly detected.
“The Commission shall take firm disciplinary action against those found to have flouted the guidelines stipulated in the Manual, in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Regulations for Teachers and the Code of Conduct and Ethics,” said Macharia.
She further asked the school heads to “engage law enforcement agencies in investigating cases of arson and indiscipline in schools with a view to recommending administrative and legal action to the perpetrators.”
Heads of schools are also required to work with Ministry of Education field officers and the National Government Administration Officers to maintain safety standards in schools.
“To this end, together with the Deputy Heads of Institution and Senior Masters in charge of boarding programmes, you, are required to be vigilant and remain in school at all times to ensure learners’ safety,” Macharia said.
The TSC’s appeal came on the back of the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy that claimed the lives of 21 pupils last week. A recent inspection revealed widespread flouting of safety regulations, which has led to both the destruction of property and the tragic loss of life.
The fires have cast a shadow over the academic calendar, with students preparing for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) now facing significant disruptions. Over 100 schools have been forced to close temporarily due to fears of further unrest.
The situation has prompted calls for action at various levels of government, with Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu, whose constituency in Makueni County has been hit particularly hard with 25 reported cases of unrest, has urged the government to consider implementing a mid-term break, arguing that such a break might help ease tensions and curb the wave of destruction. However, no such break exists in the third term, which is typically a crucial period for KCSE candidates.
Education officials have expressed deep concern over the rising cases of indiscipline and arson. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba pointed out that many schools are not adhering to the safety guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education. “Non-compliance has resulted in loss of lives and widespread damage to school infrastructure,” Ogamba remarked.
President William Ruto on September 9 affirmed that schools have no choice but to get in line with government regulations, sentiments he made following a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Education who briefed him on the Hillside Endarasha Academy tragedy that occurred when he was on an official trip to China.
“Compliance with government regulations on curbing fire accidents in learning institutions is not negotiable. This is the only insurance we have to effectively prevent the loss of life and limb in schools,” Ruto affirmed on his social media handles.
A collage image of the flames engulfing the dorm at Oma John Mbadi Mixed Secondary School on September 11, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE
