This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
Kenya may soon become the first country in East Africa to introduce explosives detection in schools, following the introduction of a new bill in parliament.
Introduced by Turkana Woman Representative Joyce Emanikor, the Kena Institute of Curriculum Development (Amendment) Bill, 2019, seeks to equip students with the skills to detect and respond to bombs, especially improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
According to the bill, the curriculum will be expanded to include lessons on drills, evacuations, first aid, how to locate explosives, and how to sense danger and react.
“It will incorporate personal safety, self-defense, demonstrations on security drills, first aid, detection and response to weapons and evacuation procedure in curriculum development,” the bill reads.
On July 10, 2019, Education Committee chairman Julius Melly told the Star newspaper that the bill aims to address psychosocial skills and strengthen guidance and counselling, particularly for learners in conflict-prone areas.
The bill is currently being discussed in the Education Committee before it is taken back to the floor of the House for a second reading.
