Campus Bee has reliably established that the Cabinet of the Republic of Uganda is slated to hold a meeting on Monday June 15th on a way forward as far as reopening of schools is concerned. More exclusive info we have managed to obtain indicates that the meeting will come up with ways of reopening of schools in a phased format.
It is worthy recalling that President Museveni closed all education institutions in March 2020 over COVID-19 scare. The government had earlier planned to allow final year students resume studies in May but it was later postponed for one more month.
Following extensive consultations by education stakeholders, several proposals were submitted to the Education Ministry which is expected to deliver them to Cabinet, come tomorrow, Monday 15th. A well placed source in the Ministry of Education and Sports has revealed that the plan is to start with finalists in higher institutions such as universities, technical schools, as well as colleges.
Regarding other finalists in secondary and primary schools, the source has alerted us that they will have to wait for another plan to open all schools at once. This has been done in a bid to make sure that they do not disrupt the academic programme since the promotion from one level to another would be discriminatory in nature.
“We have planned for everybody. We do not want anyone to be left behind. When a student completes P.7, what happens to S.1? That is why we are planning for a phased reopening,” our source noted.
As the schools remain closed, the Ministry wants them to utilize this period to renovate their premises, expand dormitories and class rooms to avoid congestion, as well as put in place the suggested measures by the Ministry of Health.
Stake holders have suggested that finalists (in higher education) should resume studies mid July while secondary and primary schools are likely to open at the end of August, according to the suggestions.
