The Ministry of Education-MOE has implored parents not to panic as they await schools reopening until after the cabinet takes a decision on reopening of education institutional.
Speaking during the Release of November / December Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board ( UBTEB) results, the state minister for Higher Education Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo said that the MOE is yet to release a comprehensive plan on reopening of institutions of learning.
Munyingo asked the public to disregard rumors circulating in the media that schools will reopen in 2 weeks.
Muyingo says the ministry is still in consultation and planning process with stakeholders on how best the academic calendar could be restarted.
The Executive secretary for UBTEB Onesmus Oyesigye noted that out of the 15,019 candidates that sat for the examinations, 11,334 candidates ( 3191 females and 8143 males ) successfully passed while 3685 failed.
He noted that compared to the November/December 2019 performance, there is a 3% decline in pass rate from 78% in 2019 to 75% in 2020 thus attributing poor performance to the outbreak of covid 19.
Earlier this week, the Government proposed to reopen schools within 2 weeks following a meeting between MOE officials and stakeholders in the education sector.
Gov’t even released proposals for how schools would reopen in a phased manner to ensure all learners finish their 2020 academic year by June 2022.
However, the MOE spokesperson Denis Mujima yesterday dismissed school reopening as just a rumor.
He explained that govt is still mobilizing teachers to get vaccinated and that a comprehensive plan would soon be announced.
MP’s Criticise Reopening Plan
MPs in Parliament have questioned the contradiction and unpreparedness of the Ministry of Education and sports.
The legislators argue that the government is moving back and forth in regard to reopening schools without releasing a comprehensive plan.
Now Mp’s say its all a contradiction,
The Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu during plenary said asked when schools would be reopened, he explained that some schools are dilapidated due to lack of activity, teachers have lost moral and need re-orientation while some learners especially girls have been married off.
The Busia Municipality MP Geoffrey Macho noted that 80 percent of the children at the border districts are studying from neighboring countries. He wants the government to inform the parliament of the plans they have.
Semujju Nganda the Kira Municipality Mp noted that international schools are operating while other kids stay home .
To that effect, Deputy Speaker Annet Anita Among directed the Ministry of Education to bring a comprehensive report on school reopening.
The Minister of state for higher education John Chrysostom Muyingo informed MPs that the government is still vaccinating teachers and has promised to bring a comprehensive report on the matter within one week.
By Rashidah Nakaayi
