The Muslim Women’s Advancement of Rights and Protection (MWARP) has called for prompt action to address school fire tragedies and other incidents that endanger students’ safety.
This comes after the recent tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri county which claimed the lives of 21students.
Another fire broke out at Isiolo Girls High School, leaving several students with minor injuries.
In a press statement, MWARP Executive Director Rahma Gulam Abbas expressed deep distress over the events which threaten children’s safety.
“As an organization, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Endarasha Academy parents. We are also deeply concerned about the recent fire at Isiolo Girls High School,” she added.
Abbas emphasized that MWARP remains dedicated to the protection of women’s and children’s welfare and called for affirmative action.
She stated that the recent tragedies should not be treated as statistics, but should prompt immediate reforms to improve the safety of children in educational institutions.
Abbas demanded that the Ministry of Education immediately conducts a thorough nationwide safety audit of all boarding schools, followed by actionable improvements addressing physical infrastructure, emergency response protocols and staff training.
She urged the government to enhance emergency response capabilities across all counties by establishing regional rapid response units.
Abbass pointed out that the units should be equipped with firefighting equipment and medical supplies, strategically positioned to ensure swift access to schools, regardless of their location.
She added that all school staff and students must receive regular, comprehensive fire safety and emergency evacuation training noting that they should be practical, frequent, and tailored to the specific layout and challenges of each school.
The NGO also proposed the establishment of a dedicated fund for upgrading school infrastructure, with a focus on fire safety measures such as the installation of proper electrical systems, fire alarms, and easily accessible emergency exits.
Abbas also called for increased community engagement and closer collaboration with educational institutions.
“The response to this tragedy has shown us the power of community action. We must harness this proactively. Schools should be required to engage with local communities to create a network of support and rapid response in times of crisis,” she said in the report.
Abbas said the initiative could involve regular community meetings, the establishment of local emergency response teams, and the integration of school safety into broader community disaster preparedness plans.
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The MWARP boss emphasized the importance of every stakeholder reflecting on collective responsibility, noting that every child sent to a boarding school is entrusted not only to the institution but to society as a whole.
“As we mourn the loss of these precious lives, we must also consider our shared duty to ensure their safety,” she said.
Abbas assured that the organization will also collaborate with other groups to monitor the implementation of safety protocols and raise awareness about the importance of school safety among parents and communities.
Abbas also called on all Kenyans to hold school administrators and government officials accountable by supporting initiatives aimed at improving school safety and reporting any safety concerns within educational institutions.
By Shaban Omar
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