While government might not be decided on the re-opening of schools, learners that URN spoke to say they are tired of being home and want to school. They say learning from home is impossible. They miss their friends and teachers
Patrick Kaboyo, FENEI General Secretary, notes that they are against a dead year and if their proposal is approved, the finalists will study from October to around January and sit for examinations in February.
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre commonly known as (Entebbe Zoo) received donations including food for the animals in the Centre from the Foreign Grant Thorntan Community.
Last week, it rejected 24 patients from Kitgum over lack of space. Dr Paska Apio, who is in charge of the treatment centre at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital says that they have been forced to borrow beddings from Anaka Hospital in Nwoya and Amuru district to accommodate more people.
On Thursday afternoon, Gulu Municipality Member of Parliament, Lyandro Komakech raising on a matter of National Importance in parliament, said the behavior of the financial firms is hurting school teachers who are already suffering because of the lockdown.
Peace Busingye, the Principal Education Officer in the department of guidance and counselling, says that they have so far recruited ten call assistants who are also practicing counsellors and psychologists to man the center.
Information from Lyantonde shows that Education authorities in the district have lost contact with the majority of the teachers since the lockdown was announced in March this year.
With the possibility of the phased reopening of educational institutions, several school heads and Richard Abura, the Deputy Headteacher Nakasero primary school, says that although the proposed time for reopening schools is drawing closer there is nothing they can do because of budget constraints.
She encouraged the survivors to overcome traditional beliefs and culture by embracing education and ensuring they complete school and become future leaders. Malango said there were opportunities for the survivors to make a turnaround and take charge of their own future by staying in school by attaining higher levels of education.
According to the UN agencies, prolonged closure of schools stops learning from taking place, which will leave children vulnerable. They say the government should prioritise the re-opening of schools as lockdowns are lifted, and develop frameworks to ensure safe environments.
Government’s denial of allegations of reopening of schools/Institutions on the 20th of September that were circulating in the media has dealt a hard blow to hostel owners and food vendors
“The examination will be conducted in observance of the Ministry of health guidelines and standard operating procedures,” Namoah’s statement reads in part. Some of the guidelines include the measurement of the temperature of all applicants, provision of hand sanitizers in the examination rooms and ensuring that each candidate wears a face mask.
Moses Opio, the Kwania District Probation Officer says, of all these cases reported to different health facilities in the district, Abongomola Sub County is leading with 321 cases, followed by Aduku Town Council 318 cases, Nambieso 298, Chawente Sub County registered 286 cases, Inomo 218 and Aduku Sub County 38 cases respectively.
Uganda’s academic year normally runs from February to November covering 260 days of curricula and co-curricular activities, assessment, and national examinations. Under this arrangement, the system leaves out 104 days for holidays. Around this time, the children would be reporting for the third term of school, which is normally shorter than others.
Wakiso LCV vice chairperson Betty Ethal Naluyima has commended government for showing signs of planning to reopen the schools although it will be partially done starting with only candidate classes.
Wakadogo is among the 100 hand-picked schools selected for the world’s largest grassroots online education conference, in support of Sustainable Development Goals on eliminating extreme poverty, reducing inequalities and combating the threat of climate change.
Lamwo District presents a higher number with 1,000 girls followed by Pader with 920, Agago 730, Nwoya 640, Amuru 620 while Gulu comparatively registered low cases with 'only' 150 girls.
The principal notes that management is less worried about inadequate teaching equipment than than their capacity to retain their staff, who have realised that remaining in the teaching job is not a matter of life and death.
According to the deputy vice chancellor in charge of academic affairs Rev. Dr John Kitayimbwa, after consulting with students in different parts of the country with low internet connect, they suggested that the university deliver papers to churches under various dioceses for easy access.
However, stakeholders interviewed in Kabale district see any move to open schools in the current circumstances as dangerous there are simply no resources to implement the basic SOPs.
