Rugunda summoned by speaker over schools' reopening

Sep 17, 2020

“We ask the Prime Minister to come and explain to the country what is happening. Many things have not been talked about. I received petitions from lecturers asking for relief,” Kadaga said.

EDUCATION | PARLIAMENT 

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has summoned Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to explain the reopening of schools.

Kadaga also wants the education ministry to address Parliament on the same, after continuous media reports that schools will reopen before the close of this month.

Her directive followed concerns by Members of Parliament (MPs) that parents, students, teachers and school proprietors were confused regarding the reopening of schools.

"There has been a lot of confusion and we want to know the Government's position, because when we open schools for finalist classes, what will happen to the gap that will be created between other classes?" Kenneth Lubogo (Bulamogi) asked.

He said with three months left to the end of the 2020 academic year, it is important for the Government to pronounce itself on the fate of the students.

The media has been awash with stories saying schools will reopen, especially for candidates and university finalists, starting September 20.

However, recently, information and national guidance minister Judith Nabakooba disputed the information, saying schools would only reopen after communication by President Yoweri Museveni.

The head of state is set to address the nation on Saturday.

"As proprietors of schools, we are confused. We were told to prepare for the ministry to inspect schools. The team that came advised us on what we needed to open, which we have done," Gaffa Mbwatekamwa (Kasambya) said.

Dead academic year

The MPs proposed that the Government declares a dead academic year, to avoid confusion.

Lubogo said: "We implore the Government to explain to the public what is happening. It should come out and declare a dead academic year. It is just three months to the end of the year."

The legislators also appealed to the Government to waive examination fees for all candidate classes.

"Most of the businesses from which parents have been getting money to pay for school fees have not yet been opened. The Government can help by footing examination and registration fees," Paul Luttamaguzi (Nakaseke South) said.

Responding to the matter, state minister of tourism Godfrey Kiwanda told the House that following a sitting on Monday (14 September,2020), Cabinet decided to set up a sub-cabinet committee meeting to deliberate on the issue of schools reopening, among other sectors that have remained under lockdown.

He said the special cabinet committee was tasked with coming up with a report which will be handed to the President.

Premier summoned

It is at this point that Kadaga directed the Prime Minister and education ministry to appear before the House.

"We ask the Prime Minister to come and explain to the country what is happening. Many things have not been talked about. I received petitions from lecturers asking for relief," Kadaga said.

The MPs also raised issues about the delayed disbursement of the sh20b that was released by the Government as relief funds for teachers in private schools, who have remained unemployed for the last six months.

In March, the President ordered the closure of schools, churches, mosques and bars, among other social gathering places, as one of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.


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