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{
"id": 1513891,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1513891/?format=api",
"text_counter": 274,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Malava, ANC",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Malulu Injendi",
"speaker": null,
"content": "schools at such a short notice and whether any inspection was conducted at the lapse of the notices of closure to confirm compliance, and the measures that have been put in place to mitigate the inconvenience caused to learners, parents and the schools, considering the short period remaining before the reopening of schools for the commencement of the 2025 academic year. The total number of schools with boarding sections in our public and private primary and junior schools are 3,199. Public schools are 1,436, while the private schools are 1,763 in number. During the period leading to the closure exercise, the schools were inspected against the guidelines of the schools' safety manual 208, and the 348 schools, which translates to 10.9 per cent, were found to have contravened the guidelines, hence putting the safety of learners at risk. The schools were recommended for closure because of the following reasons: 1. Registration status. Majority of the schools were not registered as having boarding sections and, therefore, operating illegally. 2. Compliance to safety standards in the dormitories. Most of the schools had dormitories with grills on the windows, which provided no exit in case of an emergency. Single exit doors with no provision for emergency exits. Doors that opened inwards, hence compromising the safety of the learners if locked inside. Some of the dormitories were repurposed buildings such as dining halls, classrooms and workshops, which had undergone modifications without the approval from the relevant authorities such as public health, public works and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Congestion in the dormitories was common in those schools and the spacing of 1.2 metres between the beds was not adhered to. The learners were sleeping on double and triple decker, while some had wooden beds, which is a catalyst for fires in case of emergency. Majority of the dormitories in those institutions had not adhered to the needs of learners with disabilities. 3. Status of sanitation and water. The sanitation facilities in most of those schools were poorly maintained and inadequate. They had not adhered to the ratio of 1:25 for girls and 1:30 for boys. In some schools, toilets did not have doors and in some cases, the shutters were not age-appropriate. In the closed schools, sanitation units for boys and girls were located in the same direction or area. Most of those schools did not provide treated drinking water for learners. 4. Fire safety and equipment and materials. In most of those schools, fire extinguishers were not serviced regularly. Other firefighting equipment such as sand buckets, hose rails with water and smoke detectors were not available. 5. Status of security systems. Some of those schools' fences were porous without gates. Some gates were not manned by CCTV cameras, which had not been installed in the boarding area as required. Boarding registers were not regularly updated. Most heads of those institutions were not residing in school as required. In most schools, they did not engage female night security guards to take care of the security needs of female learners. Instead, there were male guards for girls. The schools had not engaged wardens to look after the boys in their dormitories at night. 6. Status of safety in the kitchen and dining hall. In most of those schools, kitchens had poor drainage, inappropriate solid wastes, disposal and unstable chopping surfaces. Most dining halls did not have adequate chairs and tables. While in some instances, where furniture was available, it was not age-appropriate. Most cooks and food handlers had no valid medical certificates. 7. Consideration of learners' welfare. Most schools had admitted boarders who were in pre-primary level. In some of those schools, learners were not provided The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}