Stop burglar-proofing dorms, police tell schools
Police spokesperson Emilian Kayima. File photo
What you need to know:
- Police have applauded Senior Six students who broke padlocks to the blazing dorm, and communities that arrived in time, to contain the fire even though the structures were reduced to ashes. The intervention prevented spread of the fire to other dormitories, saving at least 100 students.
Kampala. Following the Monday fire that killed 11 and injured 39 students of St Bernard Secondary School Manya in Rakai District, police yesterday directed school administrators to stop installing burglar-proofing on windows of dormitories and classrooms.
Preliminary investigations showed that an unknown person locked the main door of the dormitory, before using petrol to torture it.
With the windows shut with burglar-proofing, police said there was no way for the students to escape.
Addressing a press conference in Kampala yesterday, police spokesperson Emilian Kayima said: “We ask schools to avoid putting burglar proofs in dormitories.”
“When you put a burglar proof,” he said, “you prevent a burglar from entering but we forget the problem that could come from inside. Schools should focus on having a robust security system.”
Police said schools must implement security guidelines that were issued in 2008 at the height of rampant fire outbreaks in schools.
The government is yet to make findings of the police investigations public.
“Put in place registration desks to record details of people coming in and going out of the school. Stop covering up students and school members who have criminal minds. Alert police when a suspicious conduct is detected in a school whether from students or teachers,” Mr Kayima said.
Detectives and administration of the school blamed the inferno on some Senior Four students expelled over indiscipline.
Police have applauded Senior Six students who broke padlocks to the blazing dorm, and communities that arrived in time, to contain the fire even though the structures were reduced to ashes. The intervention prevented spread of the fire to other dormitories, saving at least 100 students.
“Our fire trucks in the region which is 120km away could not come in time,” Mr Kayima said, without explaining why nearby police stations had no fire tender.
Meanwhile, police expect to get DNA test results to help identify students burned beyond recognition that the bodies can be handed over to grieving families tomorrow for burial.
Security guidelines
•Have security committee comprising teachers, students, community leaders and security officers.
•Install fire extinguishers and hydrants
•Employ professional staff to counsel students
