Arise Media 
St. Ursula Nguviu Girls Primary Boarding School has initiated a fire safety training program for its pupils in response to a worrying rise in school fire incidents.
The program equips learners with essential skills to prevent, manage, and safely respond to fire emergencies.
The program, facilitated by local fire safety officers, began by training the teachers as trainers, enabling them to continue passing on the knowledge to learners.
The training covers the proper use of fire extinguishers and safety protocols during a fire incident.
“We want our pupils to be aware and ready to handle fire emergencies not only in schools but even at homes,” said Ann Muchangi, the school’s Deputy headteacher.
With the recent increase in school fire cases, Mrs. Muchangi said this training is essential for learners’ safety and for creating a culture of awareness and responsibility.
“We believe it’s vital to make safety training an ongoing practice. By first training our teachers, we ensure that this knowledge is regularly reinforced, creating a safer environment for our pupils,” she added.
Moses Njagi, the school’s drills program chairman, highlighted that the program emphasizes the importance of evacuation procedures including staying low to avoid smoke inhalation, finding emergency exits, and assisting others during a fire.
“Pupils are taught how to identify different types of fire extinguishers and how to operate them effectively. Our goal is to ensure that every student knows what to do if a fire breaks out,” he said.
Pupils who participated in the training expressed confidence, saying that they feel more prepared to handle emergencies.
“Learning how to use a fire extinguisher and knowing what to do during a fire has made me feel much safer,” said Olive Clare, a pupil.
On September 5, a devastating fire at Endarasha Hillside Academy in Nyeri claimed the lives of 21 boys, leading to the closure of the school.
The school’s boarding wing remains closed following a court order halting its reopening, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols in educational institutions.
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