By Ash Kings
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga wants the Minister of Education and Sports to explain the implementation of the concept recently adopted by the ministry to have learners undertake lessons at home over Radio and Television.
Recently, the Minister of Education, Janet Museveni unveiled plans by the Ministry to broadcast lessons for both primary and secondary learners during the lockdown period as the country battles coronavirus.
However, although MPs welcomed the development, some had reservations with the modalities including Adjumani Woman MP, Jesica Ababiku who said that the innovation favors the children in urban centers over those in villages whose parents have no access to radios and Television sets.
“Let the Minister come here and we discuss this new innovation so that it doesn’t create the gap between the poor and rich,” said Ababiku.
Ababiku also said the new plan by the Ministry of Education also didn’t put into consideration children with special needs like the deaf and blind and called for this category to be included in the learning.
She added, “I request that the Ministry consider the special needs, for example those with hearing impairment, even if you talk on radio, they will not hear. Those with sight problems will not be able to see what you are demonstrating. If we don’t address this, it will create a gap between those who can’t afford this new technology.”
The Speaker Rebbecca Kadaga asked the Minister of Education to come to Parliament and explain this new concept instead of conducting business at the Uganda Media Center.
“Apparently increasingly, the Government is operating at Uganda Media Center, you just hear the Minister addressed the nation, they don’t come to this House. We don’t know what they said. I want to urge Government that this is where people’s representatives are, and sometimes, we need to discuss with you, your policies. The Minister of Education should come and update us, so we understand how the country is going to fit in.”