Govt to issue new guidelines for reopening schools, varsities

EDUCATION   HEALTH   VIRUS

KAMPALA - The Government is to issue the final standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all educational institutions around the country as prepared by the education ministry and approved by the National Taskforce on COVID-19.

The education ministry's permanent secretary, Alex Kakooza, in a phone interview, told New Vision that a final list of SOPs has now been agreed upon and will be released today.

"All schools will be notified on the final approved SOPs, which must be followed without fail," Kakooza said.

There have been a series of meetings by the education and health ministries and the National Taskforce, to come up with affordable and secure SOPs if schools are to open, as announced by President Yoweri Museveni, on Sunday.

Schools, churches reopen

The President allowed schools and churches to reopen on condition that they follow the set guidelines.

Schools are expected to open on October 15, starting with candidate classes and finalists.

Kakooza said the finalists include those in all tertiary institutions, universities, and vocational institutions.

President Museveni said: "If the students follow the SOPs, they will be safe."

He added that: "We have decided to reopen schools for the candidate classes of P7, S4, S6 as well as finalists in tertiary institutions and universities."

He said it is safe to allow finalist classes, because they are a smaller number compared to the total enrolment.

However, earlier SOPs indicate that no school will be allowed to have both the boarding section and day scholars. When contacted to throw more light on this and other issues, Kakooza said new SOPs for the schools would be announced today.

Incentives

Meanwhile, as they prepare to reopen schools for candidates, schools under the Uganda National Association of Private Schools and Institutions have asked the Government to offer incentives on temperature guns, sanitisers and handwashing equipment for schools.

Hasadu Kirabira, the in-charge of research at the association, says they are willing to reopen, but the Government should support private institutes, which may not be in position to fulfil the requirements.

"We will be required to buy temperature guns and sanitisers, among others, but there are schools which might fail to buy the equipment and we ask the Government to intervene," he said.

Kirabira said government should not focus only on private schools in the urban area.

"We should not look at only private schools in Kampala there are private schools in Karamoja and other rural areas. These will need more support in implementing the SOPs," Kirabira, who doubles as the vice-chairperson of the National Private Schools Teachers Association, said.

Proprietors of private schools have also asked the Government to make a contribution toward the salaries of staff at the different private schools and institutions. They also want the Government to either buy off loans or transfer them from commercial banks to Uganda Development Bank (UDB), which, they say, has lower interest rates.

Financial help

Stanley Mpamize, the director of Trinity Schools (operating in Kampala and Wakiso districts), said many private schools are financially strained and that they need cushion from the Government in order to reopen.

"Private schools are highly indebted, some may be sold off by commercial banks. If these loans are transferred to UDB, which has lower interest rates, the Government will save many schools," he said.

"As private schools, we have a number of obligations, from paying school fees to taxes. This is time private schools need to be helped," he added.

Lawrence Muwonge, the headteacher of Budo Senior Secondary School, said if taxes are not waived, all the money schools make will go towards paying taxes.

"Private schools are offering a service to the country. We are happy that the Government promised us help," he said. 

Regarding school fees, private schools agreed that they will negotiate with parents and offer them payment schedules. 

Private schools have also asked the Government to suspend the collecting of taxes for at least a year, to enable schools recover from the impact of COVID-19.