The Ministry of Education says they are ready to re-open schools. According to John Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education, they are only waiting for a go ahead from the Ministry of Health.
Schools in Uganda were closed on March 20 to avert the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic alongside other lockdown measures.
While lockdown has been partially eased with the lifting of the ban on public and private transportation and opening of businesses downtown, a few measures remain in place including a 9pm curfew. The airport, schools, bars and places of worship are also yet to open.
Neighbouring Kenya declared a dead year, but Uganda still thinks they can salvage the academic year. The ministry has been promoting distance learning at home with a cocktail of educative TV shows, radio programmes, online courses and printed study materials.
“We are set to start provided the ministry of Health gives us a go ahead,” Muyingo said.
“We have a team of education inspectors who are in the field to find out whether our institutions are prepared so that they also contribute to the final decision whether schools will be reopened or not,” he added.
Muyingo could however not commit to a date for schools re-opening, saying that is up to the Health Ministry to decide.
He however cautioned Ugandans to remain vigilant and observe the set Standard Operating Procedures to avert the spread of the virus like hand washing and wearing of face masks as the virus is still upon us.
Uganda’s Covid-19 cases now stand at 1203, with five deaths and 1073 recoveries reported.