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The government is in the process of fine-tuning new set of guidelines to govern construction of school structures.

Teams from the ministries of Education and Transport had until today to develop the new guidelines that allow for cost effective building technologies. 

In a statement yesterday, part of the new guidelines developed is expected to save Government between 20 to 40 per cent of the current cost of constructions.

Proposals have been made to move away from what is considered expensive stone-walled infrastructure to other cheaper and safe alternative construction materials.

They include bricks, hollow blocks, interlocking bricks and expanded polystyrene (EPS) technology, which entail use of inert material that does not rot away.

Team has also proposed a subsidy in cement, paint and iron sheets.  The guidelines are being developed in accordance with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive he issued last month.

“Ministries of Education and Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development are directed to issue a new set of building guidelines for school infrastructure that allows use of appropriate and cost effective building technologies suited to the varied geographies, by December 1,” the President directed.

He said the intention of these guidelines will be to achieve transparent and standardised bills of quantity that will guarantee value for taxpayers’ money.