Safety Training and Equipment in Students’ Preparedness for Emergencies in Public Boarding Secondary Schools

Lilian Mbodze Karisa
Ronald Kikechi
Department of Educational Management and Curriculum Studies
Mount Kenya University, Kenya
Corresponding Author: mbodzelilly111@gmail.com

Abstract: School safety is an important aspect of the teaching and learning process. It is therefore recommendable that educational stakeholders focus on safety of school environment to enhance a conducive study environment for students as a way of fostering both retention and completion. Despite the existing disaster management manuals in schools, disasters and their effects are still evident in our schools. This is depicted from the occasionally reported cases of casualties in schools’ emergencies. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of safety trainings and safety equipment provision in students’ emergency preparedness in Malindi Sub County. Using a descriptive survey research design, the study was carried out in Malindi Sub County with a target population of 19 boarding secondary schools and a sample of 2 girls’ schools’ Head teachers, 4 boys’ schools’ Head teachers, 59 teachers and 364 students. Using questionnaire interview schedules and observation checklists, primary data was collected. Data analysis entailed descriptive statistics using computer programme, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The study found that schools’ safety equipment is inadequate hence contributing to emergency unpreparedness. The students are rarely trained in emergency preparedness and only fewer safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire alarms and fire exits were available in most schools.