Existing Crime Prevention Practices on Student Safety in Public Boarding Secondary Schools in Trans-Nzoia County

Abstract

The study examined security preparedness of the schools since there were recurrent safety problems in public boarding secondary schools even after release of the safety standards manual by the Kenyan Ministry of Education in the year 2008.The study sought to examine the effect of existing crime prevention practices on student safety in public boarding secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County. The study was modeled on Invitational theory developed by William Watson Purkey (1999). The study used descriptive survey research design. The study targeted principals, teachers, students and security officers in 39 secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County. Questionnaires, focused group discussion and interview schedule were used as data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistical that were frequencies and percentages. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study established that most schools had not complied with the ministry of education safety standards, crime prevention measures were not very effective because cases of crime still prevailed in the schools therefore the schools were not fully prepared for student safety. The study recommends that schools should comply with Ministry’s safety standards to guarantee students safety, crime prevention practices like instituting crime prevention committee, training and putting structures in place for prevention of crime.