School proprietors demand government to be considerate while opening the schools.

By; Francis Lubega

08^th Oct. 2020

With few days remaining to the official reopening date (October 15th) for educational institutions, a section of primary and secondary school authorities are still undecided on whether they will operate as day or boarding.

While giving out the standard operating procedures and guidelines for the resumption of teaching and learning activities, the ministry of education and sports highlighted that the schools were to run as day or boarding, but not both.

However, several schools, both public and private, around Kampala and Kira Municipality have been challenged on taking the final decision over the matter, we have talked to some teachers about this point.

Explaining whether a registered day school can operate as boarding in the current situation, Benson Kule Baritazale, the Commissioner Secondary Education Standards who is also heading the ongoing inspection of schools across the country, said that the decision will be taken basing on the availability of infrastructure, the safety of learners, and other factors but overall they are impressed by a number of schools for meeting the basic minimum requirements  in as far as protecting learners from Covid-19 is concerned.

For a school to be allowed to operate as boarding must have a score of 60 percent and above on the number of requirements with indicators under handwashing and social distancing, availability of adequate beds for learners (one learner per bed), beds arranged two metres apart, evidence of restricted access from visitors, availability of a sickbay and evidence of adequate toilet facilities.

The inspection of schools is still ongoing across the country. According to the ministry of education, for a school to reopen it should have obtained a certificate of compliance.