Parents, finalists react to reopening of schools

EDUCATION|PARENTS|FINALISTS

A section of parents and students have expressed mixed feelings over the reopening of schools for finalists, with many saying it should have been declared a dead academic year.

Robert Tweheyo, a finalist at Kampala International University, said it would be costly to declare a dead year as some students had paid all their tuition fees and were revising at home.

"I differ from those who say the Government should have declared 2020 a dead academic because some students like me come from humble families. It would be hard to repeat the year given the hardships of getting tuition fees and other basic needs," he said.

Bright Bamwesige, a Senior Six student at Kagadi SSS, said: "Reopening of the candidate classes is good because we have been studying scientifically on media platforms and online. It would be a waste of the academic year."

Good move

Charles Agonzebwa, a student at St Kirigwaijo SSS in Kibaale, said it was a good move by the Government to reopen schools.

"We may not complete the syllabus, but teachers will devise ways of completing the syllabus."

Caroline Apiyo, a finalist at Notre Dame Academy SSS, said girls are vulnerable to a number of challenges in the community. It is good that they are returning to school.

"Some girls have been married off, others defiled, which puts girls' education at stake. Reopening schools will save girls from numerous problems that could befall them before they return to their respective institutions of learning," she said.

Fred Mugisha, a parent of four students of Kagadi Secondary School, said many parents cannot afford scholastic materials and the school fees since they have been in a lockdown for seven months. He supported the idea that this should have been declared a dead year.

George Kabuga, a parent of two pupils in primary school, said pupils have been a menace in villages, arguing that reopening schools will solve some of these problems.

Lawrence Kamihanda, a parent of six secondary school students in Kibaale, said some schools do not have enough dormitories and classes, which could lead to congestion of students, putting them at risk of contracting COVID-19.

"The Government should have waited until next year when the situation has normalised rather than opening when the pandemic is still on," he said.