SCHOOL BUYS SNIFFER DOGS, INSTALLS CCTV TO STOP STUDENTS’ RIOT

A school in Embu County has installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, to boost security and easily monitor the movement of students at the institution.

Nyangwa High School in Mbeere South has also brought in five German shepherd dogs to reinforce security and ward off unwanted intruders into the institution.

School Principal Moshe Musyoka said the initiative that was put in place three years ago has yielded fruits, since cases of students’ unrest and sneaking have stopped.

He says all the security guards are trained by the Administration Police officers in a bid to boost their ability to curb crime.

According to the Principal, the CCTV cameras are only situated along the corridors so as to ensure people’s right to privacy.

NOISE RULE

“We have lost a teachers’ motorbike and many items. The installation of CCTV has improved the students morale and helped them relax,” said Mr Musyoka.

The school also have “noise rule” whereby students are not allowed to communicate with someone who is 10 feet away from them.

It is also against the rules for students to go 10 metres near the fence in a bid to minimize contact with outsiders who could be drug peddlers.

Speaking to the Nairobi News at the institution on Thursday, Mr Musyoka who is also the Mbeere South sub-county Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman, said security and dialogue were integral components in schools.

He said the current spate of students’ unrest can be avoided if teachers and students increase dialogue between themselves for early detection of problems.

SECURITY GUARDS

“We talk to our students as many times as possible. I can wake up at 4am when they are going for preps and talk to them for about 10 minutes. We don’t hide anything from them. If there is a school that has gone on strike, we inform them what is happening outside there. If there is a school that has been burnt, let them know,” said Mr Musyoka.

The institution has over 1,800 and has been performing well ever since Mr Musyoka was deployed to the institution five years ago.

Mr Musyoka lamented the employment of old people as security guards by some schools.

“Many of the people looking for employment as security guards are usually too old and retired. This is an important sector which should not be for people who can no longer work in other sectors,” he said.

He urged the government to offer salaries to a select cadre of support staff such as watchmen to ensure they are fit.

Source: Nairobi News