RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GARISSA TOWNSHIP SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess factors influencing the implementation of safety standards and guidelines in public secondary schools in Garissa Township Sub- County. This study examined School safety Sub-committee and physical Infrastructure on the implementation of safety standards and guidelines in public secondary schools in Garissa Township, Sub- County. Survey research design was used in this study with 10 principals and 320 teachers in Garissa Township Sub- County as the target population. The sample comprised of 106 respondents with 10 principals and 96 teachers. Questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers while interviews were used to collect data from Principals. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using pearson r while that from interview guide was analyzed using verbatim. The results were presented using tables with help of statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Using the Pearsoncorrelation, the study found out that the Safety Sub-committee (r= 0.280, p<0.01) was statistically significant and thus showed positive relationship with the implementation of safety standards and guidelines. The research also found out that 60 % of the principals interviewed revealed that school safety sub-committee was instituted but not active while 40% of safety sub-committee did not exist in the schools. Using the Pearson correlation school physical infrastructure (r=0.405, p<0.01),] The study showed a significant relationship between school physical infrastructure and the implementation of safety standards in Garissa Township Sub-County. In the interview conducted 80% of principals agreed that the existing infrastructure are regularly maintained and refurbished through the government funds in every financial year through the maintenanceand improvement funds. The study recommends that the Public Secondary Schools in Garissa Township Sub-County should review the implementation of School Safety standards and guidelines by ensuring that safety sub-committee is enhanced and ensure that there is sufficient and effective physical infrastructure in schools to promote conducive learning environment. The study would be beneficial toparents, schools and ministry of education officials in Kenya atlarge.