Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic across the globe, just lust like other sectors, the education system has been significantly affected.
In Uganda, over 15 million learners enrolled in the education system at different levels were forced to go back home in a bid to keep them safe from the coronavirus. President Museveni directed that all schools, Universities and tertiary institutions should close for at least the next 30 days.
Yesterday evening the Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Museveni addressed the nation on how the Ministry is trying to cope up despite the existence of the pandemic.
The First Lady said the directive of the 30 days will end on April 20, 2020, and as a Ministry, they have already laid a plan to resume studies but that will only depend on what government will say after the directed days elapse.
Janet Museveni disclosed that Pre-primary, primary, secondary schools, and Primary Teachers Colleges will open for the continuation of Term I on April 27, 2020 up to June 12, 2020. Term 2 will then start on June 22 to September 4 while Term 3 has been scheduled to start on September 21 and end on December 19 2020.
For Universities and other Tertiary Institutions, including BTVET institutions, the Minister said they will open continuation of the current Semester on May 2, 2020.
“The Ministry will still operate three school Terms and 2 Semesters respectively. When schools re-open, it will be a continuation of Term 1. NO extra fees should be charged. To recover the lost days, the first and second term holidays will be shorter,” Janet said.
She revealed that there shall be no formal test or exams at the end of Term 1 directing that all the time should be used for teaching and learning.
“Cumulative end of topic class-based results should be used on end of term reports,” she said.
The First Lady said candidates shall do only ONE school-generated Mock Examinations at the end of Term 2.
“Therefore all schools are herewith barred from engaging students in any externally set mock examinations this year, to ensure syllabus recovery time is not wasted,” she said.
She added, “I recognize and appreciate the efforts of some of the Universities, schools and other citizens including the Buganda Kingdom to keep learners engaged through e-learning systems, Televisions and Radios.”