Schools Re-Opening: Each Lecture to Have Only 15 Students

The health ministry has written to the Ministry of Education, advising on Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs), which must be adhered to by all schools, if they are to be opened.

The SOPs require handwashing, observance of a two-meter distance between learners, and routine screening of learners and staff at critical control points for signs and symptoms of leaners of COVID-19; are the cost drivers that should be adequately prepared for.

Unlike Kenya which resolved to go for the dead year, Uganda’s government, based on the proposals from the health and the plan education ministries; is still optimistic that the academic year can be salvaged.

It is not yet clear, if all these guidelines, will be implemented, as advised by the health ministry; owing to the cost implication. Below are the SOPs in brief;

1. Maintain physical distance or social distance of at least two meters apart
2. Each class should have a student leader for COVID-19 cases assessment
3. Use of alcohol; based hand rubs in class
4. Use of masks for all learners
5. Each school is expected to recruit a health assistant (nurse)
6. Teachers are required to enforce mandatory use masks at education institutions
7. Install handwashing equipment at all critical points
8. Full time trained personnel assigned to do temperature screening
9. A well-calibrated working temperature gun to be provided at each entrance
10. Staff to complete and submit daily screening summary reports
11. Leaners with above-normal temperatures are promptly isolated and the district task force to be immediately informed
12. Isolation room for suspected learners to be provided
13. A foot-operated and handwashing machine to be availed in each school
14. Handwashing supplies to be provided at schools, at all times
15. At least a five-liter liquid soap jerry can to be availed
16. All learners, staff and visitors to keep social distance of two meters between person during handwashing
17. Display of Standard information and risk communication materials
18. Assign staff to supervise break periods and stagger releasing students for breaks, lunch and going home time to limit interaction
19. Supervise the handwashing session for learners
20. Provide waste bins
21. Restrict community access to education institutions
22. All staff, learners to visitors to keep social distance of 2 meters between person during handwashing
23. Students and staff must sit at least 2 meters apart in the classroom
24. Only 10 students can be respectively accommodated in a standard classroom for primary and secondary, and then 15 students for higher institutions of learning.
25. Additional streams and new infrastructure requirements or modification may be required, to accommodate all students
26. Where expansion of infrastructure is not feasible, the education ministry can go to shift system of education
27. Additional teachers may be required to teach extra classes or adjust time tables to accommodate the number of increase of streams
28. Ensure good ventilation equivalent to 1% of the total floor area
29. Ensure presence of windows equivalent to 10% of the total floor area
30. Keep windows open
31. At the end of the day, disinfect all toilets, door handles, window seals, tables, blackboards and other surfaces using disinfectant
32. Learning institutions should assign staff to assess for COVID-19 and keep records of all learners and staff
33. Monitor all learners and staff for COVID-19 symptoms
34. Verbally assess household of day scholars
35. Avoid reactional and sports activities
36. Space of two meters for beds
37. Restrict entry into staff quarters
38. No quieting on toilets and latrines
39. Disinfect worktops every after 2 hours