There was a 30 percent reduction in fires at schools in 2014 compared to the previous year because of increased awareness and better supervision by the government, a senior Education Ministry official said recently.

The major causes of fires at schools include the piling up of furniture in corridors and warehouses, and poor electrical wiring, said Majed Al-Harbi, director general of safety and security at the ministry.

The Civil Defense had reported the reduction of these incidents, which it attributed to the ministry setting up a health and safety department to oversee regulations at schools, he was quoted as saying in a local publication.

Al-Harbi called on school principals to ensure that they remove all furniture in corridors. They must also check the roofs of their schools and remove any accumulated water and debris. Schools must also abide by regulations stipulating that they carry out regular fire drills with the Civil Defense, he said.

He said 80 percent of the administration’s budget has been allocated for safety equipment, including an advanced electronic system that would provide advanced warning of various dangers such as flooding and other natural disasters.

The ministry is currently in the process of conducting a risk-assessment analysis of all the country’s schools, with statistics provided by education departments nationwide, he said.

Al-Harbi said the ministry has also compiled a guide for school officials on what they should do in emergencies, particularly during natural disasters.