It’s official. Schools are to open on 10th January 2022 after being on closure for almost two years as a lockdown measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. Pre-primary, primary and secondary schools are expected to open all at the same time.
The Education Minister, Janet Kataha Museveni said this in a press statement on Wednesday 15th December 2021.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has released a 12-month calendar for the resumption of studies for all schools in Uganda.
Schools resume January 10, 2022, and run a full year, to December 9, when the third term closes.
School Terms
According to the new school calendar, the terms will run as follows:
Term 1 : Jan 10 – April 15
Term 2 : May 9 – August 12
Term 3 : September 5 – December 9
The Lockdown Effect
Schools were closed in March 2020 and have been closed so for almost two years. Uganda is the only country in Africa where schools remained fully closed for close to two years. Children have been kept at home. Very few have been engaged in online learning.
Most children of the school-going age have turned to other avenues like menial jobs and many got pregnant due to a long time out of school.
Challenges
The reopening of schools is going to be met with severe challenges that range from uninterested learners, inadequate staffing, struggling financial situations in schools and parents amid others.
The biggest challenge is putting in place and observing SOPs.
No support from government
It is worth noting that there is no direct support on offer from the Ministry
of Education or government to support schools from reopening as schools would have wanted or requested. Many have exhausted their financial reserves and are struggling with bank loans.
Many schools need major repairs in order to have a conducive environment to reopen and receive learners.
The Minister however encouraged private schools to take advantage of opportunities availed through other functions of government and the private sector at large.
Interventions
Schools were encouraged to take advantage of COVID-19 relief measures extended to the education and hospitality sectors by the Bank of Uganda.
Other banks like Stanbic Bank had waived accrued interest and penalties and are willing to lend private schools interventional working capital at reduced rates.
National Water and Sewerage Corporation is looking into waiving non-VAT fees for outstanding water bills and UMEME has agreed to give schools a 12 months’ grace period to settle outstanding electricity bills.
Uganda Revenue Authority waived off all tax penalties and arrears up to June 2020 for all businesses and would negotiate flexible repayments with schools that have credit liabilities.
Vaccination
The minister emphasized vaccination for all school staff. Unvaccinated staff will not be allowed at school premises. She advised them to take advantage of the massive vaccination campaigns rolled out by the government.
