Full reopening of schools in balance due to surging Covid-19 infections.

By Our Reporter

26^th May 2021

The surging numbers of COVID-19 infections threaten the full reopening of schools and other educational institutions.

Uganda has entered the second wave of COVID-19 infections which coincides with the government’s plan to fully reopen schools and other educational institutions across the country.

Since October last year, schools have been reopening in a staggered manner with a few learners to allow for physical distancing and implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs to avoid COVID-19 infection.

According to the revised school calendar, the Ministry of Education and Sports had projected that schools at all levels will reopen for all learners in the new academic year scheduled to start on August 9 this year.

However, Dr. Monica Musenero, the Presidential Advisor on Epidemics, says that with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases that have not spared young people, the last thing being considered is the full operationalization of educational institutions.

Dr. Musenero, who is also a member of the National COVID-19 task force, says that unless there is proof that schools will adhere to the set Standard Operating Procedures chances of full reopening are becoming slim on top of the small numbers of teachers so far vaccinated.

Available statistics indicate that by May 18, only 42,000 out of the targeted 550,000 teachers and non-teaching staff had been vaccinated.