BY OLIVER OGUTU: The recent turmoil in boarding schools has once again sparked serious concerns regarding the safety of students residing in dormitories.

A rise in incidents of arson, property damage, and student protests has exposed critical vulnerabilities not only in school administration but also in the architectural layout of school buildings.

During periods of unrest, dormitories frequently become primary targets; in numerous instances, fires ignited by students have endangered hundreds of lives.

While authorities understandably focus on identifying and punishing the culprits, a more fundamental question arises: are these dormitories actually designed to facilitate a safe escape during emergencies?

Alarmingly, many existing structures feature heavy metal window grilles and are situated on upper floors, effectively turning them into traps.

When designing student housing, safety must be the absolute priority. Incorporating single-story ground-floor structures, installing multiple clearly marked emergency exits, integrating functional fire alarms, and designing windows that can double as evacuation routes can drastically minimize the risk of casualties.

A dormitory must offer students protection, not confinement, during a crisis.

The recent surge in school unrest serves as a stark reminder that emergencies occur unexpectedly. Whether stemming from indiscipline, systemic frustrations, or external influences, school fires pose a constant threat to innocent lives.

It is time for school administrators, education officials, and policymakers to fundamentally reconsider dormitory design to ensure students can evacuate swiftly and securely.