Two junior ministers from first lady Janet Museveni’s education ministry have hinted on a plan to reopen universities and other higher learning institutions with learners aged 18 and above.
For almost two years now, the Covid19 pandemic has disrupted resumption of learning.
In his July 30 address, President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni ordered for the reopening of medical schools and other health training institutions.
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has since okayed the reopening of these schools.
The president has also insisted all learners, including those below the age of 18, must be vaccinated before reopening of schools.
However, UNICEF has called for unconditional but safe reopening of schools. (See: Here’s why Museveni Should Drop Vaccination of Primary, Secondary Level Learners as Condition for School Reopening)
Main opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has consistently reminded President Museveni of this UNICEF position, and demanded a school reopening plan.
According to state minister for higher education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, the ministry of education has a reopening plan.
“Very soon there will be a program in which the minister will communicate to the public how we shall have the schools open in such a way that the SOPs are observed,” Muyingo said.
“The curriculum is being studied; you wait for the detailed program from the minister of Education, I wouldn’t want to preempt what she [senior education minister Janet Museveni] is going to say.”
Muyingo’s counterpart in charge of primary education Dr Joyce Kaducu Moriku talked of reopening for higher learning institutions after vaccination.
‘‘We are still talking about universities and higher institutions of learning since all [students in] these [schools] can take the current vaccine,” said Minister Moriku.
“The ones we are waiting for are the young ones that are Pfizer vaccines for these 12 years and above, but for the 18 years and above which are in the universities, these are ones we are opening for.”
Dr Moriku’s explanation also reveals that the decision to reopen universities and other higher institutions was hinged on epidemiological considerations and risk analysis as recommended by UNICEF.
“What is the risk involved as we open the schools and all the mitigation strategies?”
Further noting that the reopening would be in a phased or staggered manner to avoid congestion in school environments, the minister also talked of strict adherence to standard operating procedures.
“We need transparency from the institution, that is why the temperature guns are there, [materials to help in] the SOPs were secured but are they functioning?” she continued.
“Children [students] have to be regularly checked. When a child has symptoms of Covid19, the nurse should take him or her for testing; we want a strong surveillance system.”
Additional reporting: Courtesy
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