Authorities in Masaka City have advised school owners to follow safety guidelines to prevent fire incidents in educational institutions. Steven Kakeeto, the principal education officer of Masaka City, recommended that school proprietors regularly hire professional electricians to inspect the wiring systems in their buildings, particularly dormitories, in order to avoid electric short circuits, which are often responsible for school fires.
Kakeeto emphasized that schools should have fire extinguishers and conduct regular awareness programs on their usage among students. He also stressed the importance of equipping students with general knowledge about fire detection.
This advice follows a recent incident in which a fire consumed a girls’ dormitory at Masaka Secondary School three days ago. Kakeeto urged the public not to engage in blaming others during such critical times of danger. He explained that such actions could negatively impact students’ academic performance, especially in the case of the Masaka Secondary School students who lost their belongings just weeks before their final exams.
Hajji Musa Mpungu, the head teacher of Masaka Secondary School, mentioned that the school has provided basic necessities like mattresses, blankets, shoes, basins, soap, and clothes to the 47 affected students using its own resources. He also mentioned that the school’s board of governors has approved a plan to renovate the damaged dormitory to higher safety standards.
Jamadah Wandera, the acting southern regional police spokesperson, disclosed that their investigation found that the fire was caused by an electric short circuit originating from an electric pole that provided power to the burnt dormitory. Wandera emphasized that qualified personnel should be used for electrical connections, and schools should adhere to safety and security measures provided by the Ministry of Education to prevent such incidents. He noted that many schools have been reluctant to follow these guidelines.
Table: Safety Measures to Prevent School Fires
| Safety Measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Regular Inspection by Electricians | Hire professionals to check wiring systems. |
| Fire Extinguishers | Ensure schools have fire extinguishers in place. |
| Awareness Campaigns | Conduct regular campaigns to educate students. |
| Fire Detection Knowledge | Equip students with general fire detection knowledge. |
