MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
PRESS STATEMENT
(Issued under Article 35 (3) of the Constitution)
(For Immediate Release) July 30, 2016
PRESS STATEMENT ON SECURITY ON STUDENTS DURING SPORTS AND GAMES COMPETITIONS
The counter down to closing schools at the end of 2nd Term begins in earnest next week. It begins at a time the Ministry of Education has organized the National Music Festival from 8th—19th August in Nairobi and Term Two B-Ball games from 2nd –7th August in Kisumu and also at a time Kenya is about be hosting the Regional East Africa Secondary School Sports and Games competitions which will be held from 25th August, 2016 in Eldoret involving students from South Sudan, Zanzibar, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda.
The number of participants in the events will be about 120,000 pupils, 6,000 teachers and 9,000 schools in Nairobi for the Kenya Music Festival. The schools include participants from Early Child Development (ECD), primary, secondary, colleges and universities. Similarly, The East Africa Regional Secondary will host over 3000 students and 1000 teachers and officials in various centres in Eldoret to participate in this mammoth event.
To organize such an activity the Government has a common duty of care, safety and security of pupils, teachers and officials under its charge and this duty extends to provision of a safe school transport, security and accommodation. Consequently, the Ministry of education has engaged security agencies to provide the necessary security at all venues and wishes to assure the public of their safety during the competitions.
The Ministry therefore expects that County Directors of Education, Principals of schools, and teachers to work closely with security personnel to secure the safety and security of pupils participating in this activities.
The Ministry wishes to thank the Inspector General and his team for the support he has given to the young men and women who annually participate in the co-curricular activities.
In addition, principals, teachers and education officials are expected to adhere to the following guidelines as provided by government policies and regulations on health and safety:
1. All school transport movements be restricted between 6.00am and 6.00pm and no night travel should be allowed whatsoever.
2. Buses or vans should not be overloaded nor allowed to exceed the authorized carrying capacity.
3. Teachers shall be required to advise the students on the rules of safe travel on school buses, including misbehavior and danger of distracting the driver’s attention.
4. All buses or vehicles transporting pupils and teachers must have valid inspection certificate, PSV license and insurance for the correct capacity. The drivers should also have valid driving and PSV license.
5. Each bus must contain basic emergency supplies like fire extinguishers, first aid kit, at least two hazard triangles.
6. Schools should prohibit smoking in School Buses and prevent use of drugs by all passengers on board.
7. Schools accommodating the events must ensure safety and comfort of the students hosted in their institutions.
Principals intending to accompany their students to the events must ensure that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard the safety of the schools and learners during their period of participation in the activities.
Finally, the Ministry wishes the participants success in their endevour to become champions and assure them that the Government will continue to identify, nurture and develop talents of our Kenyan students in sports, games, drama and music.
Signed
Dr. Belio Kipsang, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY,
STATE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION