| dc.description.abstract | The government of Kenya being a signatory to international conventions and protocols that have emphasized the rights of every human being is committed to promoting safety of children. The launch of the Early Childhood Development Service Standard Guidelines for Kenya in 2006 at Kenya Institute of Education was a step towards realization of this noble goal. Therefore, this study sought to investigate emergency management preparedness in preschools on children's physical safety while in learning institution. The study was anchored on Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Theory and Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response for Schools Model.
Random sampling was used to select the sample population in Thika West District. The study employed descriptive survey design to target 2100 preschool children, 126 preschool teachers and 588 school management committee members from preschools in Thika West District. Purposive sampling was used to select preschools to participate in this study. Questionnaires, interview schedule and observation guide were used as methods of data collection. Interview schedules were used to collect data from the sampled preschoolers and school management committee. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The findings of the study may provide better understanding on children's physical safety. The study established that despite the fact that pre-schools did not have safety precaution strategies, some took precaution measures like putting up perimeter fences, cutting branches that hung over roofs and also ensuring that hazardous materials were kept away from children. It however emerged that windows, doors and corridors were strategically placed. The study also established that there were no emergency doors in most pre-schools and in the few that had, they were not well labelled. Preschoolers reacted to emergencies by reporting to their teachers and asking their friends for help. Teachers administered first aid and informed parents. The biggest challenges faced in enhancing safety were: lack of fmancial resources, lack of knowledge on safety and inadequate infrastructure.
The study recommends that: Teacher Education should include aspects of safety and management of emergencies that hamper children's physical safety within schools; The Ministry of Education and relevant line ministries should intensify supervisory of pre schools physical infrastructure and safety levels; the government should fully mainstream Early Childhood Education in the funding of capital and recurrent expenditure; among other recommendations. The study also recommends further research on children's psychological safety within and without school school. | en_US |
