Bitamazire tips on school fires
Aug 02, 2009
SAFETY and security of children should take priority in the management of schools across the country, education minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire has said.
By Jude Kafuuma and Joyce Namutebi
SAFETY and security of children should take priority in the management of schools across the country, education minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire has said.
Bitamazire also urged schools to undertake fire drills regularly to teach students rescue tactics.
She was addressing parents, teachers and students at Luzira Senior Secondary School in Kampala during the commissioning of a four-classroom block constructed by the Government.
Bitamazire urged students and teachers to watch out for strange people who loiter around the school premises.
She said the national education committee on safety and security in schools will re-issue circulars that were given to schools last year to ensure that guidelines on safety and security of the children are complied with.
Last year, 89 schools were burnt following the worst incident at Buddo Junior School where 20 pupils perished in an inferno.
The head teacher of Luzira S.S, Oliver Kyohere, expressed fear of fires, adding that the school lacked fire-fighting equipment.
The school is the only one under the Universal Secondary Education in Nakawa Division. It has a population of 1,219 students. The enrollment increased tremendously with the double-shift programme from 338 students in 2007.
SAFETY and security of children should take priority in the management of schools across the country, education minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire has said.
Bitamazire also urged schools to undertake fire drills regularly to teach students rescue tactics.
She was addressing parents, teachers and students at Luzira Senior Secondary School in Kampala during the commissioning of a four-classroom block constructed by the Government.
Bitamazire urged students and teachers to watch out for strange people who loiter around the school premises.
She said the national education committee on safety and security in schools will re-issue circulars that were given to schools last year to ensure that guidelines on safety and security of the children are complied with.
Last year, 89 schools were burnt following the worst incident at Buddo Junior School where 20 pupils perished in an inferno.
The head teacher of Luzira S.S, Oliver Kyohere, expressed fear of fires, adding that the school lacked fire-fighting equipment.
The school is the only one under the Universal Secondary Education in Nakawa Division. It has a population of 1,219 students. The enrollment increased tremendously with the double-shift programme from 338 students in 2007.