Ministry of Education (MoE), has directed education officers to ensure schools adhere to traffic rules operation hours of between 10 pm and 5 am.
Speaking during Inaugural Ministry of Education Conference in Naivasha, the MoE director General Dr Elyas Abdi said the education officers have only seven days to deal with administrators of schools operating outside of designated hours.
The workshop for education officers titled “Reforming Education in Kenya: the practice, opportunities and challenges” was aimed to foster collaboration share best practices and address the challenges faced by education officers across the country and school buses operating wrong hours is among issues discussed.
The director said there is no transportation allowed outside designated hours, he directed the officers to cooperate with traffic commander by reporting those found breaking the rules.
Dr Abdi said Nairobi schools are s notorious in allowing school buses operate at wrong hours implement this,” he said.
Other issues discussed include containing school fires in schools.
The education officers were directed to request to attend security meeting in county commissioners where they receive firsthand information about schools.
The officers were also directed to ensure school s open communication channels that include school suggestion boxes for learners to submit suggestions, comments and complaints anonymously.
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“More than 95 percent of school fires happen at night, school dormitories should be secured, there should be fire free education system,” the director said.
The director also pointed out that some of the cause of the fire is drug abuse, which he directed the officers to address by allowing guidance and counseling in the institutions.
On January this year NTSA announced a new set of measures aimed at addressing the rising concerns regarding school transportation safety.
It introduced vehicle attendants on school transport vehicles and also attendants who are tasked with ensuring that children are safely boarded and remain safe during alighting.
NTSA also highlighted the necessity of crossing guards which will be stationed at school entry and exit points, as well as pedestrian crossings, to control traffic.
School vehicles shall be inspected twice a year and must be fitted with functional safety belts designed to be used by children.
The vehicles are also required to have at least one fire extinguisher conforming to the applicable standard issued by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
They should also be installed with mirrors that enable the driver to have adequate visibility of the sides, rear and along both sides of the bus.
By Obegi Malack
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