According to a statement released on Tuesday evening by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education and Sports, Alex Kakooza, universities have been advised to switch to online lectures in a bid to successfully complete the ongoing semester.
The statement follows the closure of all academic institutions by President Yoweri Museveni as a way of curtailing the spread of COVID-19. A number of universities had already registered COVID-19 cases in students, Kyambogo with the highest number.
Universities like Victoria University, ISBAT, IUEA, MUBS, Kyambogo and Ndejje are now teaching online.
“Universities and other tertiary institutions should strengthen online and work closely with the National Council for Higher Education to ensure successful completion of ongoing semester programmes.” The statement reads in part.
He also revealed that the government will support universities to see that they can complete the semester smoothly while teaching online. Currently, 70% of the 51 universities in Uganda have already registered for blended learning and secured the approval of National Council for Higher Education.
According to Dr Lawrence Muganga, the Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University learning should take place at any time anywhere whether there is a pandemic or not.
“It is unfortunate that the wake-up call has come at a time when we have the pandemic which is claiming people’s lives. Learning should take place at any time, anywhere. That is why we need online or digital learning. For people to fit in this competitive future grounded in technology, we have no choice, other than making online learning the way to go,” Muganga said.
It remains unclear whether universities will hold exams online as well since most of the institutions were warming up for exams while others were in examination period when the order to close came through.
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