As few days are remaining to complete the extended period of 30 days about the re-opening of academic institutions in Uganda, Legal Aid Service Providers Network (LASPNET) and its partners, Network of Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL), Muslim Centre for Justice and Law, Community Justice Anti-Corruption Forum, Uganda Christian Lawyers’ Fraternity (UCLF) and Girl Guides Association of Uganda have petitioned the Government to re-open schools before the situation of learners in Uganda becomes worse.
The petition was made through the Prime Minister, also the chairperson of COVID-19 National Task Force Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development to consider re-opening of all academic institutions amidst the ongoing partial COVID-19 lockdown.
In the petition, LASPNET Executive Director Sylvia Namubiru Mukasa said her organization and partners are aware that COVID-19 has had an unparalleled impact on different sectors of the world which include health, business, education among others and appreciated that Government has partially lifted the lockdown in other sectors although the reopening of education sector hangs in balance.
However, she showed that the proposed e-learning platforms such as internet TVs and Radios apart from being expensive they have other limitations. In some of the of the areas in Uganda TVs and radios can not be accessed due to geographical barriers while use of internet is associated with high charges such as OTT.
LASPNET is also concerned about both teaching and non-teaching especially in private institutions who have not been able to receive their salaries since the lockdown started in march.
Basing on requests from education stake holders such as parents, teachers, children She concluded by petitioning to the government to consider re-opening of schools and higher institutions of learning to save future.
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