Physical Education Safety Precaution Practices In Private Primary Schools In Nairobi City County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Schools have been identified as key settings for promotion of physical activity in children through Physical Education programs. However, participation in physical activities has some potential risk for injury. Due to this, safety procedures have always been an integral part of the Physical Education program. The purpose of this study was to assess safety precaution practices employed in Physical Education lessons in private primary schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya. This study was an assessment of the extent to which facilities, equipment, and supervision of activities were organized to prevent injuries during Physical Education lessons. Cross sectional analytical research design was adopted to assess safety precautions observed during PE. The respondents were Physical Education teachers and pupils in private primary schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya. A total of 20 schools, 40 teachers (50% male and 50% female) and 60 pupils (51.7% male and 48.3% female) were sampled. Self-administered questionnaires, interview schedules and observational checklists were used as tools of data collection. Proportional stratified sampling technique was used to select private high cost, private medium cost and private low cost primary schools. The results were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Chi Square was used to answer research questions and test the hypothesis at a significant level of 0.05. The results indicated that First Aid kits were available in all private primary schools though they were not adequate. Chi Square value of X2=5.369 and p value of 0.068 showed that there was no significant relationship between the types of school and availability of First Aid kits during PE lessons. 77.5% of PE teachers had knowledge in administering first aid. Majority (88.7%) of pupils knew whom to approach and where to go in case of an emergency. 33(85%) of the PE lessons conducted had safety rules displayed; however, adherence to the safety rules and regulations depended on the type of school. Chi Square value of X2 =7.464 and p value of 0.024 showed that there was significant relationship in the availability of safety rules and regulations during PE lessons between the type of school. Most schools had PE facilities and equipment though the adequacy and condition depended on the type of school. Chi square value of X2= 36.932 and p < .001 revealed that there was significant relationship between the types of school and the condition of ball games. The type of school determined the availability of emergency plans. Chi Square value of X2=7.059 and p value of .029 showed that there was significant relationship in presence of emergency programs between the types of school. Majority of private primary schools (52.5%) had manageable number of pupils during PE lessons. It was therefore recommended that for full implementation of safety precautions during PE lessons in private primary schools, all stakeholders concerned have to play their roles effectively. The government should be more aggressive in sensitizing the schools on the need to implement recommended safety precaution practices during PE lessons since most private primary schools are taking PE more seriously. The Ministry of Education should come up with a more refined policy on monitoring and evaluating the implementation of recommended safety precautions.