| dc.description.abstract | Increase in disaster incidences have been witnessed in secondary schools in recent years, its
frequency and impact hampering education process. For instance, besides loss of lives, and
injuries, school properties have been damaged and closing and often with children having
to leave school for long periods in recovery period. Continued occurrence and magnitude of
disaster have prompted international organizations especially the United Nations agencies
and other countries to come up with best practice models of institutions including training
on disaster and disaster risk management. Despite the concerted efforts by the government
of Kenya and other stakeholders in emphasizing preparedness, Kenya still experiences
various disasters in schools. Majority of students in secondary schools are exposed to
mishaps and accidents daily in schools. School authorities, parents and even students are
jolted into actions only when a fatality or injury has occurred and this affects the response
and mitigation level of these disasters and thus the need of the study. The general objective
of the study is to assess disaster preparedness and safety standards in public secondary
schools of Nairobi County, Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were to: Establish the
level of disaster preparedness in public secondary schools in Nairobi County; Determine
the causes of vulnerability to disasters in public secondary schools in Nairobi County;
Assess safety of physical infrastructure in public secondary schools in Nairobi County. The
study adopted a descriptive research design. Target population of the study was 73 from
which 13 schools were selected using random sampling. A sample size of 458 respondents
was selected to participate in the study; 6 sub county quality assurance and standards
officer, 3 officials from the Kenya Red Cross, 3 from St. Johns Ambulance, 3 fire
department officials, 1 official from department of disaster management, 13 teachers in
charge of quality assurance and standards from sampled schools, 13 head teachers,13 board
of management members, 13 parent association members, 6 officers commanding station
and 384 students. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, focus
group discussions and observation checklist. The data was analyzed using descriptive
statistics such as frequency distributions and percentages. The findings were presented in
tables and figures. The findings revealed a lack of training and inadequate community
awareness on disaster preparedness and safety standards. Inadequate funds and lack of clear
policies were some of the factors causing the schools vulnerability to disasters. The
physical infrastructures in schools were poorly maintained. Dormitories and classes were
overcrowded. The study concluded that the schools were insufficiently prepared for
disasters and most of the physical infrastructures were considered unsafe. The study
recommended regular inspection of school infrastructure, safety training by qualified by
qualified personnel and taking into consideration the ability and capacity of different
schools when settings standards for disaster preparedness and safety. | en_US |
