Efficacy of Mitigation Strategies in Disaster Prevalence in Public Secondary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya
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Date
2024-09
Authors
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
School safety is paramount for effective learning to take place. Schools all over
the world have established ways of mitigating disasters. The mitigation measures
aims at reducing or preventing loss of lives, destruction of property and emotional
torture to victims. However, the question remains: how efficient are these safety
strategies in keeping school children secure from disasters? The purpose of this
study was to determine efficacy of mitigation strategies in disaster prevalence in
public secondary schools in Yatta Sub-County Machakos County, Kenya. The
objectives of this study were to: Determine the influence of stakeholder awareness
on disaster prevalence, Establish the influence of frequency disaster drills on
disaster prevalence, Determine influence of duration of response on disaster
related deaths and loss of property and, Examine the influence of adequacy of
financial allocation for disaster prevention on disaster prevalence in Yatta Sub County public secondary schools, Machakos county Kenya. This study was guided
by Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). The study adopted descriptive survey
design. Target population comprised of all the 61 public secondary schools in
Yatta Sub-County of Machakos County. Through stratified sampling method 20
public secondary schools were sampled. One sub-county director of education, 20
principals, 4 teachers and 5 students from each school were selected using
purposive sampling method. Instruments for data collection were questionnaires,
interviews schedules and observation checklist. Pilot study was conducted in two
schools which were not included in the main study. Data collection was done
through questionnaires which were hand-delivered; face to face interviews and
direct use of observation checklists. Quantitative data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics including mode, mean, median and percentages while
Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Data was presented in tables, and
figures. The research revealed that stakeholders awareness influence prevalence
of disasters. Stakeholder awareness on various disasters made it easy for them to
fight disasters hence reduced the number of casualties. Inadequate finances
affected prevalence of disasters. Poor implementation of disaster policies
influenced disaster prevalence. Early and quick responsiveness to disasters eased
management of disasters. The study revealed that most of the students and
teachers had not attended disaster management drills hence they could not fight
disasters adequately. Some schools had inadequate facilities and equipment’s. The
study recommended that MOE should create awareness of various disasters in
learning institutions and also make resources available; principals should ensure
disaster mitigation policies are implemented, MOE to ensure that all stakeholders
are trained on disaster, more funds should be set aside for disaster management
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and regular inspection of schools and disaster management should be integrated in
the school curriculum.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted to the School of Education in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement of the Degree of Master of Education (Educational Administration) of Kenyatta University September, 2024
Supervisors:
1.Daniel Otieno
2.Thaddaaeus Rugah