Uganda’s Minister of Education Janet Museveni has said there will be no more Nursery or Kindergarten school until the COVID19 crisis is over.
Mrs Museveni made the remarks during a media briefing in Kampala while communicating a comprehensive plan by government to re-open schools for learners in sub-candidate classes due next month. The plan, announced on Thursday is part of phased re-opening strategy by government meant to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Under the arrangement which started last year with candidate classes, the new phase will see Primary 6, Senior 3 and Senior 5 classes re-open for studies on 1st March, 2021 and close on 21st May 2021.
Janet Museveni said Kindergarten classes will wait to open and children will now start school in Primary 1 at 5 years old.
The decision according to government has been taken in regard to the high risk of exposure the kids may encounter and their inability to adhere to Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) in the COVID-19 spread and the kids are prone to respiratory infection. She said parents should take charge of the kids early learning before they join P1.
Primary Seven students will complete Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) on 31st March 2021 and S4 students will complete Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) on 6th April 2021. Afterwards, there will be enough space to enable the P4, P5, S1 etc to report for classroom studies.
A part from candidates who will sit for UNEB exams, there will be no exams for the rest of the classes. Progression for other classes will be evaluated on attendance and a cumulative assessment.
The school academic year 2020 will end in July 2021 and thereafter a comprehensive school calendar and a strategy for recovery of lost time will be issued and implemented. Progression to the next class according to the new guidelines will be based on attendance and continuous assessment of classwork & assignments contrary to the normal procedure of promotion based on excellence in end-of-year examinations.
Universities and other Tertiary Institutions should open in a phased manner starting 1st March 2021 to enable institutions to conform to the Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in lecture rooms, halls of residence, dinning halls and on campus generally.
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Primary Teacher’s Colleges (PTCs) and National Teacher’s Colleges (NTCs) shall open on 1st March 2021 for the rest of the learners provided they meet the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
In his address on Thursday, President Museveni said general re-opening of schools will be tagged on introduction of COVID-19 vaccines which are expected in the country starting March 2021. However, first priority of access to the vaccines will be given to Health workers, Security agents, citizens aged above 50 years.
