Health
Education Ministry halts plans for re-opening schools, breaking off for Holidays
Schools administrators have been urged to pause reporting back to school and breaking off for holidays, as they await the President’s guidelines when he speaks to the nation about COVID-19 on Sunday.
The call has been made by Alex Kakooza, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, in relation to the increase in COVID-19 cases brought about by the second wave of the pandemic.
In a document released this afternoon, Kakooza says the President, during his address on Saturday last week promised to give further guidance on measures that need to be taken to control the resurgence of the pandemic in the subsequent address.
On 14th December 2020, the Ministry of Education and Sports revised school calendar for reopening of the education institutions after COVID-19 lockdown. The calendar provided for phased reopening for different classes.
As per the calendar, P1-P3 classes are expected to report back on 7th June 2021, while P4 and P5 classes are supposed to break off for holidays today 4th June 2021. The semi-candidate classes (P6, S3 & S5) are also expected to report back for a special term on 7th June 2021.
However, Kakooza says this should be paused until the President has given further guidance.
“Pending the expected guidance of H.E. the President, Ministry of Education and Sports informs managers of education institutions and the general public that the planned reporting back to school and breaking off for holidays, as indicated above, should be delayed until further notice” Mr. Kakooza said.
He added that the Ministry of Education and Sports is working closely with the Health Ministry to control the spread of the pandemic in education institutions and ensure early reporting and effective management of any emerging cases.
