TSC puts headteachers on notice over safety guidelines in schools

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued a stern warning to school heads who are yet to comply with the guidelines regarding the safety of learners. 

In a circular to school heads released on Friday, the teachers’ employer acknowledged that some of the administrators have “demonstrated laxity” in implementing the safety regulations, vowing to disciplinary action against them. 

“It has come to the attention of the Commission that a few heads of institution have not only failed to implement the provisions of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools but also demonstrated laxity in enforcing compliance despite administrative circulars issued by the government on the subject matter,” the circular read in part. 

The commission said that it “shall take firm disciplinary action against those found to have flouted the guidelines stipulated in the manual, by the provisions of the Code of Regulations for Teachers and the Code of Conduct and Ethics.” 

This comes days after President William Ruto directed the Education and Interior ministries to an audit on safety standards compliance in schools across the country. 

In response, the Education Ministry announced immediate action by undertaking what it termed as the first phase of inspection of all public and private boarding schools to assess their level of compliance regarding the safety and security of learners. 

“It has, therefore, become necessary for the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to conduct an urgent nationwide inspection of all public and private basic learning institutions to evaluate their adherence to the guidelines outlined in the Safety Standards Manual for Schools in Kenya,” Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said on Wednesday.  

Officials from the Ministries of Education, Interior and National Administration, Health, and Public Works, along with representatives from county governments and the Kenya Red Cross, will participate in the assessments.

These initiatives, according to the ministry, are geared towards uncovering and addressing the spate of school fires that the country has been reeling from recent weeks with one of the latest incidents claiming the lives of 21 pupils at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri.  

At the same time, the move is aimed at ensuring full implementation of the provisions of the Safety Standards Manual for Schools under the Commission’s Circular dated March 21, 2017, and that of the State Department of Early Learning and Basic Education dated June 18, 2019. 

On Friday, TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia in the circular directed the school heads to ensure that the provisions of the leaners’ Safety Manual and supporting circulars are enforced. 

“You are directed to engage law enforcement agencies in investigating cases of arson and indiscipline in schools,” she said.