Evaluating the Role of Electronic Security Surveillance in Enhancing Safety in Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

Secondary school safety is critical to sustaining comparable academic performance outcomes. However, there are so many threats that affect the safety of schools that make up this necessity throughout the world. Security challenges in secondary schools in Kenya includes fires, theft and radicalization have been witnessed in school. Nevertheless, the application of electronic security surveillance systems still remains rather low. They work under very high risks and many schools in Trans Nzoia County are especially vulnerable leaving the school community at risk. This research aimed at evaluating the extent to which these systems enhance safety. Based on Situational Crime Prevention Theory and Contingency Theory, the study adopted descriptive survey research design and targeted 14 second schools with previous security threats and deployed with surveillance systems. Participants were 14 principals, 14 boarding teachers, 14 security personnel, 70 students- 10 students from each of the 7 schools, County Director of Education, and the Chief Fire Officer. The sample size for the study was 128 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. The data was analysed through using Social Package for Social Sciences version 25. Regarding electronic surveillance system improvement of school security, 80.8 percent of respondents supported its effectiveness. When national ICT and school safety policies had been included, it was found that the improvement of these systems for the safety of schools has proved 40.9% different (R² = 0.409, F (2, 75) = 26.003, p = 0.000). Of all the forms of surveillance, the study noted that CCTV cameras were the most widely used in secondary schools. That being said, the efficiency of their use in achieving safety objectives was somewhat hampered by operational obstacles. The study therefore suggests that while emphasizing on the use of additional technologies like fire alarms, burglar alarms, Metal detectors and Biometric systems, the school management boards in collaboration with Ministry of education and ICT should devise way of extending the use of such gadgets. Secondly, to guarantee full coverage of the school premises, it is necessary to step up investment in electronic security systems, and improve the support of personnel pertaining to the detection of threats.