Over 4,000 schools fail to reopen

At least 4,269 schools were not cleared to reopen after the Saturday deadline for inspection of schools, which kicked off on October 5. The affected include 3,823 primary and 446 secondary schools.

According to preliminary findings by the Directorate of Education Standards, the affected schools include those totally unqualified, and several others dubbed ‘pending' that were given a week to reorganise themselves.

According to the education ministry scorecard, which was used in the inspection, schools that qualified must have scored 60% and above on requirements, whereas the pending ones scored between 50% and 59%, and these were advised to put some things right.

Those that completely failed scored 49% and below. They were ordered to hand over or transfer candidates to the nearby schools.

However, Dr Kedrace Turyagenda, the director education standards (DES) at the ministry, said there were some areas whose data had not been added. This implies that the figures could go up when all districts submit data.

"There are some places in Kampala which have not submitted their data. I spoke to the director education standards at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and she promised that they would send their report on Monday. They concluded the exercise today (Sunday)," she said.

However, Turyagenda warned the affected schools against forging certificates of compliance, adding: "It could have severe consequences for the school."

"COVID-19 and the restrictions around it must be followed. We are very strict on this. If we find a school with a doctored certificate, they can lose the certificate of registration," she said in a telephone interview with New Vision.

Meanwhile, 16,956 schools have so far been cleared to reopen. They include 14,319 primary and 2,637 secondary schools.

Regional performance

According to preliminary findings, the eastern region had the biggest number of schools that failed to meet standard operating procedures (SOPs). A total of 1,209 primary and 79 secondary schools in the region did not qualify to reopen.

The central region followed with 1,003 primary and 194 secondary schools. In western Uganda, 925 schools — both primary and secondary — did not make the cut.

In the northern region, 772 primary and 87 secondary schools did not meet standards to reopen.

Such schools, Turyagenda said, should work with parents to ensure that children are transferred to other schools for continuity.

"We have asked the different local governments to publish or announce a list of schools that were allowed to reopen," she said.

Benson Kule Baritazale, the commissioner for secondary education standards, who also co-ordinated the countrywide school inspection, asked parents to pay fees to schools that have been cleared.

"Some schools might be planning to fleece parents, but we ask them to be vigilant. Before you pay fees for your child, ask for a certificate of compliance and seek clarity from local governments on whether the school is allowed," Baritazale said.

Cleared schools can be closed

The schools that have been cleared to reopen will be closed if they fall short on the SOPs, the education ministry has warned.

A copy of a certificate of compliance, which New Vision has seen, reads: "Non-compliance to the operating procedures shall lead to the cancellation of the certificate."

The certificate, which is signed by the education ministry permanent secretary, Alex Kakooza, requires schools to maintain SOPs issued by both health and education ministries all the time.

In addition, the education ministry has warned schools against running boarding when the certificate reads day section. Certificates of compliance for such schools, according to the ministry, will be cancelled and schools will be required to hand over students to other schools.

Govt schools that failed

Turyagenda explained that government-aided schools that failed on SOPs had not received capitation grant to buy the necessary equipment.

However, she said the education ministry has since instructed the different local governments to release the funds as soon as possible for schools to prepare.

"We (education ministry) are hopeful that these funds will be available this week. The schools will then procure the handwashing equipment, sanitisers and set up the other critical measures and equipment needed to combat COVID-19," she said.

Stopping government schools, she said, is a clear indication that the education ministry did not favour any institutions.

"There were theories that the Government would spare its own schools and witch-hunt private ones. But, our team was dedicated to save all school-going children and our teachers. This explains why some public institutions have not qualified," she added.