School Security Research Articles

Evaluating the Role of Electronic Security Surveillance in Enhancing Safety in Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Secondary school safety is critical to sustaining comparable academic performance outcomes. However, there are so many threats that affect the safety of schools that make up this necessity throughout the world. Security challenges in secondary schools in Kenya includes fires, theft and radicalization have been witnessed in school. Nevertheless, the application of electronic security surveillance systems still remains rather low. They work under very high risks and many schools in Trans Nzoia County are especially vulnerable leaving the school community at risk. This research aimed at evaluating the extent to which these systems enhance safety. Based on Situational Crime Prevention Theory and Contingency Theory, the study adopted descriptive survey research design and targeted 14 second schools with previous security threats and deployed with surveillance systems. Participants were 14 principals, 14 boarding teachers, 14 security personnel, 70 students- 10 students from each of the 7 schools, County Director of Education, and the Chief Fire Officer. The sample size for the study was 128 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. The data was analysed through using Social Package for Social Sciences version 25. Regarding electronic surveillance system improvement of school security, 80.8 percent of respondents supported its effectiveness. When national ICT and school safety policies had been included, it was found that the improvement of these systems for the safety of schools has proved 40.9% different (R² = 0.409, F (2, 75) = 26.003, p = 0.000). Of all the forms of surveillance, the study noted that CCTV cameras were the most widely used in secondary schools. That being said, the efficiency of their use in achieving safety objectives was somewhat hampered by operational obstacles. The study therefore suggests that while emphasizing on the use of additional technologies like fire alarms, burglar alarms, Metal detectors and Biometric systems, the school management boards in collaboration with Ministry of education and ICT should devise way of extending the use of such gadgets. Secondly, to guarantee full coverage of the school premises, it is necessary to step up investment in electronic security systems, and improve the support of personnel pertaining to the detection of threats.

The Impediments in Implementing Inclusive Education in Two Special Schools in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Impediments and Recommendations

Background: The implementation of successful inclusive education our special schools is still a challenge as there are numerous impediments that hinders such implementation.  Objectives: To explore impediments in the implementation of inclusive education in two special schools in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.  Method: To archive stipulated objectives, a qualitative research approach was employed. The population of the study was made up of two special schools in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. Data was collected using semi- structured interviewed. Data was collected through interviews that were collected from learners who are identified with learning barriers and request for placement in special schools. The data was gathered from the participants and analysed in thematic manner.  Results: The study revealed that there are numerous impediments that hinders the implementation of inclusive education, inter alia, safety and security in schools, lack of parental involvement, learner’s drug abuse, shortage of therapists, teacher’s qualification, overage learners and shortage of special schools. The study also outlined factors curbing the implementation of inclusive education.  Conclusion: The study concluded that indeed the stipulated impediments hinders the successful implementation inclusive education.  Contribution: The suggested strategies will enhance the successful implementation of inclusive education in schools.

School Security and Academic Self-Concept Among Pupils in Primary Schools in Informal Settlements in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

This study purposed to investigate the influence of school security on the academic self-concept of pupils in primary schools in informal settlements in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The social cognitive theory guided this research. The study employed a survey research design. The target population comprised 138 head teachers, 203 teacher counsellors, and 9536 learners in Class VII, totaling 9877 respondents, from which a sample of 385 respondents was determined using Yamane’s formula. Questionnaires were used to collect data from learners in Class VII, as were interview guides for head teachers and teacher-counsellors. Piloting was conducted among 38 respondents from primary schools in informal settlements in Kibra sub-county to establish validity and reliability. The opinions of educational psychology professionals were used to confirm the study's validity. The split-half method was used to calculate reliability, and the reliability coefficient (r = 0.728; p<0.05) at the 0.05 level of significance revealed a high degree of internal dependability. The tests were carried out at a 0.05 level of significance. Test of the null hypothesis indicated that there was a significant statistical relationship between school security and academic self at r=0.668, p=0.001<0.05. The study concluded that levels of pupils’ academic self-concept in primary schools in informal settlements can be enhanced through provision of adequate school security. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should ensure that primary schools have security guards and fences and should comply with standards for child-friendly school environment. The main beneficiaries of this study will be learners in the primary schools in the informal settlements when the policy makers improve the school environment hence their academic self-concept will be enhanced.

Facial Frontiers: Unveiling the Potential of LBPHs and Haar Cascades in Facial Recognition for Enhanced School Security

The article aims at introducing a Facial Recognition School Security System as one solution to improve security while speeding up administrative processes in educational institutions. The need for such a system emanates from concerns over the safety of schools as well as inadequacies inherent in conventional attendance and access control methods. Inadequate methods can be manual or rely on an older technology that leads to inefficiencies, inaccuracies and breaches of security. This proposed solution exploits contemporary artificial intelligence algorithms and computer vision techniques to facilitate the reliable identification and validation of entrants thereby providing contactless approach during Pandemic times in compliance with the COVID-19 safety protocols. At this period of COVID-19 it also acts as an avenue where physical touchpoints are reduced with consideration to social distancing measures. Our method is novel in the fact that it only detects and recognizes human faces as opposed to general object detection systems. We use Local Binary Pattern Histograms (LBPH) for face recognition and Haar Cascades for face detection. The Haar Cascade algorithm employs simple rectangular features to detect faces, using a cascade of weak classifiers to achieve high detection rates. The LBPH algorithm captures local texture patterns of facial features, calculating LBP values for each pixel. Our project demonstrates variable performance across different classes, with precision ranging from 0.50 to 1.00, recall from 0.33 to 1.00, and F1 scores from 0.33 to 0.94, while achieving an overall accuracy of 0.75, indicating robust performance in certain scenarios but room for improvement in others.

Applying Biometric Technology in School Attendance and Security Management

In today's digital era, security and efficiency in attendance management in the school environment are very important. Biometric technology has become a new trend in improving security and optimizing the attendance recording process, replacing manual systems prone to errors and fraud. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of applying biometric technology in school attendance and security management. Specifically, this research focuses on evaluating how this technology can reduce cheating, increase the accuracy of attendance data, and strengthen school security systems. This research uses quantitative methods with a case study approach at five schools implementing a biometric system. Data was collected through surveys of school administrators and direct observation of the registration and identity verification processes at these schools. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics. This research shows that using biometric technology significantly increases the efficiency and accuracy of the attendance recording system. Student attendance is recorded quickly and accurately, with virtually no cheating. This technology also strengthens the security system by ensuring that only verified individuals can access school facilities. This research concludes that applying biometric technology in school attendance and security management has proven very effective. This technology optimizes attendance and improves security, providing a safe environment for students and staff. The research recommends wider adoption of biometric technology in other schools to improve security and operational efficiency.

Management of Food Security Culturization in Nature Elementary Schools: Policy, Learning, and Student Engagement

Food insecurity affects every aspect of student development. Cultivating food security through education can be implemented through the culturization of food security in nature schools, and it is encouraged to be managed at the elementary level. Research relating to differences in the influence of nature school management on food security has not yet been found. This research aims to analyze the differences in the influence of general and Islamic school management on the culturization of food security. This research used a quantitative approach with a multivariate analysis of variance method using SPSS software. Data were collected using questionnaires of 20 items consisting of three aspects: school policy, learning activity, and student engagement. The participants were 28 principals and representatives in 15 nature elementary schools in West Java Province, Indonesia. The respondents were chosen from a population of nature elementary school principals using purposive sampling. The sampling encompasses the distribution of nature elementary schools based on types of school management and their distributive location. The result of the multivariate test shows a value of 0,260 0.05. This result means that different types of school management have an insignificant impact on the culturization of food security. The weakest aspect is school policy, with a mean score of 15.93, while learning activity and student engagement obtain a mean score of 27.25 and 27.50 for each. These findings imply that school policy in nature elementary schools must be improved to support a food security culture.

Managerial Factors, School Security as Correlates of Academic Staff Job Effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger State, Nigeria

The study examined the managerial factors, school security and academic staff job effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design of the correlational type. The population of the study comprised 926 academic staff in public Colleges of education in Niger state as at year 2024 of carrying out this study. The sample for the study was 615 academic staff selected from 2 Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedures, involving simple random sampling technique and proportionate random sampling technique were used to select the sample for this study. Two sets of instruments tagged “Managerial Factors School Security Questionnaire (MFSSQ) and Academic Staff job Effectiveness Questionnaire (ASJEQ) were used for the study. The instruments were validated by experts in the field of test and measurement as well as Educational Management that ensured the face and content validity of the instruments. The reliability coefficients of 0.78 were obtained for the MFSSQ and 0.85 for the ASJEQ. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. All the hypotheses formulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the level of academic staff job effectiveness was high in Colleges of Education in Niger state Nigeria. The study equally revealed that the commonly used managerial factors in the Colleges of Education in Niger state were delegation of duties, committee system and decision-making. There was significant relationship between managerial factors, school security and academic staff job effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. Also, it was revealed that managerial factors made significance contribution to academic staff job effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the College authorities (Deans and HODs) should sustain the current high level of academic staff job effectiveness through the use of appropriate managerial factors. College authorities should always ensure that college environment that is secured for both lecturers and students for teaching, learning and research activities to take place among others.

Mass Murder in "Vladislav Ribnikar" Primary School: Victimization of Students, a Consequence of the Non-Existence of the "Safe School" Concept and Crime Prevention

The criminal event — the mass murder of students at the "Vladislav Ribnikar" school in Belgrade, on May 3, 2023, as a form of mass victimization of students, raised many questions, much more in the lay world and significantly less in the scientific or professional public: Was it possible recognize from the student’s behavior that in the future (immediate, near, distant, upcoming. . . ) he will take action to take the lives of students in the school he attends? Can we talk about the statistically inevitable "Black Swan" in the attack on students? Is the attack on students a consequence of the perception of school security in the security system of the Republic of Serbia? Research results show that such attacks can be predicted and prevented. Furthermore, based on the results of the research, it is concluded that in the Republic of Serbia in 2001, a pilot program of the “Safe Schools” model was launched, which lasted for four years and after 2004, it stopped being implemented as part of the prevention of crime in the local community through the program "Safe Communities". The research results show that in the Republic of Serbia there is no: "Code of school safety and safety behavior"; Law on safe school, students and school staff adopted by the National Assembly; “Declaration on the safety of students, teachers, professors and the school” as an initial document for the safety of the school, students and teachers; "National Center for School Safety"; "School Safety Office" in cities and local governments; personnel for auditing school safety; training for leadership in school security, and does not understand that the application of layered protection of students and the school as elements of support for the educational process, students, school staff and the school is necessary.

Implementation Of School Security Patrol (SSP) Activities In Developing Character Education

The School Security Patrol activities at SDN Jaticempaka VI Bekasi showcase the school's dedication to creating a secure and positive learning environment, emphasizing character development. The program involves students actively engaging in security responsibilities, fostering values like responsibility, leadership, cooperation, and community spirit. This integration aligns with the broader goal of character education, aiming to nurture students academically, ethically, and socially. SDN Jaticempaka VI Bekasi's proactive approach combines security measures with character development, highlighting its commitment to shaping well-rounded individuals for success. The study aims to explore the implementation model, the role in national character development, and obstacles faced by the School Security Patrol activities at SDN Jaticempaka VI Bekasi. Findings reveal that the program is executed by class representatives following a set schedule. The role of the school security patrol in character development is crucial, instilling values such as courage, discipline, independence, responsibility, and social concern. However, obstacles include a lack of professional trainers, members not fulfilling duties due to unexpected absences, and student indifference towards patrol members. Final Conclusion is show that, SDN Jaticempaka VI Bekasi's School Security Patrol activities effectively combine security and character development, contributing to a holistic educational experience. Despite facing challenges, the program's positive impact on students' character underscores the school's commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals.

School Bullying Among Middle School Students

This research aims to shed light on the problem of school bullying, its prevalence, and to expose its weaknesses and harms. The importance of the study lies in identifying the behavior of school bullying and attempting to develop long-term plans through the school environment by various activities and understanding different viewpoints to deal with it. The research also allows for recognizing the most significant forms and manifestations of school bullying and helping students get rid of it, as well as assisting families in identifying and avoiding it in the best possible way. The development of student relationships is governed by many social and behavioral variables and influences. It was found that the behavior of school bullying is not only directed at each other but has also been directed at the teaching staff and practiced outside the school walls, which has become a significant danger. Bullying behavior is considered a serious problem that threatens school security in general and society in particular (Georgiou, 2008, p. 118).

Enhancing School Security System Using RFID: A Comprehensive Approach

Ensuring the safety of students and punctuality in educational institutions is of prime importance. This study introduces and evaluates a school security system that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. The system uses RFID identification cards issued to students to track entry and exit from the school premises. By swiping the RFID card, the system fixes the time and location, which facilitates efficient tracking of student movements. Notifications are automatically sent to parents or guardians, improving communication and awareness. This will also alleviate the problems of students coming from home and skipping lectures to have fun during lectures hours. This paper discusses the methodology, implementation process and technology behind RFID, and provides an overview of the system's architecture and its integration into the school's existing infrastructure. This study also examines the impact of an RFID-based school security system on improving overall security measures based on privacy and ethical considerations. The results suggest a positive correlation between the adoption of this system and improved security protocols in educational institutions. Keywords: RFID, School Security, Attendance Tracking, Student ID, SMS Notification, Campus Safety.

A Thief in School: A Found Poem Capturing the Impact of Lockdown Drills in Schools

This found poem combines a notice of a lockdown drill, my reactions, and my children’s interpretations of the event. Drawing on motherscholarship, the poem expresses my concern as a mother for my children as they experience these drills and my dismay as an educator at how such drills are embedded in our culture. Three perspectives in the poem capture how a regular occurrence impacts students, schools, and communities. This work adds to conversations circulating around the culture of school security, the impact of lockdown drills on both students and families, and serves as a means of mothering activism.

Sex and Racial/Ethnic Differences in School Security Measures, Bullying Victimization, and Perceived School Safety: Implications for Pediatric Health Care

Using the 2017 National Crime Victimization Survey dataset, this study examined the association between the types of school security measures and students' bullying victimization and perceived school safety. Using logistic regression and ordinary least square regression analyses, the study addressed whether these associations vary by sex and race/ethnicity, as most research has treated sex and race/ethnicity as covariates. The study found that none of the security measures were associated with bullying victimization among the total sample. However, there were sex and racial differences in the association between security measures and bullying victimization. There were also sex and racial/ethnic variations in the association between security measures and perceived school safety. Scholars, health care practitioners, and policymakers must reflect and reconsider whether increasing school security and control would contribute to the safety and well-being of racial/ethnic minority students in school.

The Role of Risk Monitoring at Ar-Rifqi Integrated MI in Bolstering School Security

The purpose of this study is to investigate how Ar-Rifqi Integrated MI can enhance security through the use of risk monitoring. Education is seen as the cornerstone for developing the potential and character of the next generation, but its effectiveness depends not just on academic performance but also on the wellbeing of students and the safety of the learning environment. Today's educational institutions must contend with a growing number of intricate security issues, such as the possibility of cyberattacks, a lack of security knowledge, the possibility of human mistake, and unsafe data storage. Both positive and negative effects of technological advancements are present, including increased danger of cyberattacks and technological misuse. Thus, keeping an eye on hazards in schools is essential to preserving the security of information, facilities, and instructional activities. Along with defining the problem and the research objectives, this study engages parties and offers practical advantages in the form of in-depth insights, comprehension, and suggestions for enhancing the risk monitoring system and related party involvement. The goal of this research is to better understand and enhance the overall security of educational institutions.

School Facility Security: An Evaluation Of Surveillance Technologies And Efforts To Improve Physical Security

by Muhammadiyah SMP Tanah Grogot, an educational institution in Indonesia, and identify areas for improvement. The study uses a case study method, which involves data collection through observation, interviews with school authorities, and reviewing relevant documents. The findings reveal that while the school has made significant efforts to improve physical security by implementing surveillance technology and access control systems, there are still areas that require improvement. The study recommends implementing a comprehensive emergency response plan, regular security audits, and staff training to ensure the effectiveness of physical security measures over time. The research provides practical insights that can be applied to other educational institutions facing similar challenges and highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of physical security measures. Identify the obstacles or barriers faced in the implementation of surveillance technology, efforts to improve physical security in schools, identify the success of surveillance technology in reducing security incidents in schools and increasing feelings of safety in schools, identify differences in the perception and effectiveness of surveillance technology between schools with different levels of resources and size, and the contribution of surveillance technology to the achievement of broader school security goals.

Crisis Management Communications System

Abstract: The article is devoted to the clarification of basic concepts related to crisis management, communications systems, leadership, strategic leadership and its relation to the internal and external factors of crisis management. The study highlights the concept of both strategic leadership and a strategic leader and their significant role in managing educational organizations, maintaining their balance, and evolving and improving their performance in the light of the globalization imposed. The aim is to present study highlights regarding topics that might deter the strategic leader’s work in achieving safety and security in public schools after detecting structural crisis. The research is based on the following hypotheses to examine and analyse the associations between strategic leadership represented by dimensions including internal environment, external factors, change management and method and strategic planning and their impact on crisis management. H1. The higher the association between strategic leadership and coping with the internal environment, the greater the lead to crisis management. H2. The higher the association between strategic leadership and coping with the external factors, the greater the lead to crisis management. The methodology includes the method of desk research. The research provides a theoretical review of previous studies of strategic leadership and its impact on crisis management; clarifying the characteristics, attributes, tasks and skills of strategic leadership; and identifying the strategic criteria and types of crises. Keywords: crisis management, information system, strategic leader, strategic leadership, educational organization, internal and external factors. Rhetoric and Communications Journal, issue 58, January 2024

Job Security and Teacher’s Job Retention in Private and Public Secondary Schools in Delta State

The study investigated the correlation between job security and teacher retention in private and public secondary schools in Delta State. The study utilised a correlational research design. The study included a total of 21,257 teachers from Delta State, with 11,777 teachers from public schools and 9,480 teachers from private schools. The study's sample comprised 1,178 teachers from private and public secondary schools in Delta State. This number represents 10% of the total population. The selection of participants was done using the stratified sampling technique. The data gathering process utilised the Influence of Job Security and Job Retention Questionnaire (IJSJRQ). IJSJRQ underwent validation by three specialists. The reliability of IJSJRQ was determined by the use of Cronbach Alpha, which resulted in a reliability coefficient of 0.81. The data obtained were examined via the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and t-test statistics. The findings indicated a notable correlation between job security and teacher's job retention in both private and public secondary schools in Delta State. Additionally, there was a significant disparity in job security between teachers in private and public schools in the State, with public school teachers having a more favourable situation. The researcher concluded that job security had a beneficial impact on the ability of teachers to remain in their positions. Nevertheless, the level of job stability is greater in public schools. The study, among others, recommended that secondary school administrators in both public and private institutions enhance the working environment of their teachers.

Perspectives on School Security Management for Conducive Learning Environment in Universities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Security tasks in the school system is a plague which tends to affect all the critical stakeholders and sundry. This study therefore explored the perspectives on school security management for conducive learning environment in Universities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The participants in the study were 1,800 samples(50%) of 2,650 security personnel, working at the two institutions (Alex Ekwueme Federal University and Ebonyi State University). Descriptive survey, three research questions and one hypothesis were used in the study. A validated instrument titled: Perspectives on Managing School Security for Conducive Learning Environments in Public Universities Scale (PMSSCLEPUS) with 30 items was used to collect data for the study. Kuder–Richardson formula was used to ascertain the reliability index of the instrument at .90. The collected data were analysed using mean, standard deviation and independent t-test. Findings indicated that the manifestation of insecurities in Universities in Ebonyi State were cult-related activities, abductions, sexual molestations and incursion of herdsmen into campus among others. Findings also showed that lack of modern security gadgets, poor funding of surveillance unit, poor security awareness and porous campus environment among others were the barriers to effective management of insecurities in Universities in Ebonyi State. The results equally indicated that Ebonyi State University is less significantly managing the perspectives of school security threat than Alex Ekwueme Federal University of Ndufu-Alike Ikwo. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that the security threats in Ebonyi State universities constitute a serious threat to conducive learning environment and hinders school activities. It was recommended among others that the surveillance unit of EBSU should be well funded and equipped with modern gadgets by the University management in collaboration with the State government in order to encourage conducive learning environments in public Universities in Ebonyi State of Nigeria.

MANAGING PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN A VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA NORTHEAST ZONE: IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION LEADERS

School leaders’ effectiveness and conducive learning environment are devoid of threat, fear, and loss of life and properties enhance the achievement of educational goals with students’ academic performance. This study aims to determine school leaders’ perceptions and current understanding of managing schools in a volatile environment and the policies guiding school management in a volatile context. To gather data, semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected principals in the Northeast of Nigeria were conducted which were later transcribed and analysed with content analysis. The findings showed school leaders’ approaches to managing public schools in a volatile environment as there were no policies in place on school administration in a volatile context. The findings also reveal the inadequacy of security in schools and the inadequacy of training of security personnel. The study concludes that stakeholders should put in place appropriate measures to safeguard life and properties.

Bezpečnosť školského prostredia – vonkajšie a vnútorné vplyvy

The study deals with analysis and evaluation of external and internal influences for security on schools. On the backround of general social security and safety situation are solved the measures and conditions of narrower and wider anvironment on line of protection od schools. On relation of these influences are evaluated and fixed the tasks of schools for its internal and external security. By tasks of management, pedagogical, expertal, technical and administrative employees and pupils of school. In relation of external and internal conditions and measures is created an assumption for need security of schools, pupils and its employees too.