Inspection of schools underway in Wakiso ahead of planned reopening

Wakiso, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  Authorities at Wakiso district education department have resumed inspection of schools several months since they were closed in preparation for learners to return for studies, the district education officer Fredrick Kiyingi Kinobe has said.

He says that district inspectors of schools will by Monday 14th begin carrying out the exercise in their respective counties to ascertain whether headteachers and directors have implemented the rules and guidelines given to them in regard to installing standard operating procedures (SOPs) requirements set by the Ministry of Health.

In July, Wakiso education department traversed all counties in the district sensitizing headteachers and school directors on what they are supposed to put in place as requirements for consideration to allow their schools begin when the President directs so.

Schools were closed down in mid-March this year by President Yoweri Museveni when he declared a lockdown which is still affecting the education sector with over 15 million learners sitting at home and hundreds of thousands of teachers struggling to find a living.

Among the requirements which school administrators are expected to put in place is holding meetings with teachers, parents and members of school management committees to educate them about the SOPs in fighting the pandemic.

The officer said that since the schools opening will take place before the end of COVID-19 pandemic, preparation for co-existence with it must be done.   

He has however urged teachers to stop sitting in their houses waiting for the schools to reopen and resume working but to find jobs that will sustain them and their families.

Kiyingi says that it would be unfortunate for teachers to get messed up like some leaners have got spoilt.

Meanwhile, Wakiso LCV vice-chairperson Betty Ethal Naluyima has commended government for showing signs of planning to reopen the schools although it will be partially done with only candidate classes.

She, however, says that there is a lot of space which can be utilized to bring all children on board among which are school compounds and playgrounds.

Naluyima who is also in charge of family and children’s affairs at the district council believe that the damage so far registered as a result of school remaining closed is enough, therefore, the government should revise its decision and roll out the reopening of the education sector at once.

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