Schools projected to reopen on 27th April as Uganda’s education ministry responds to Covid-19

By Ritah Ainembabazi

Uganda’s education and sports ministry has outlined a number of response plans to covid-19 pandemic.

Schools were closed on Friday 20th March 2020 for 30 days following the presidential directive to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

As of now, Uganda has a total of 48 confirmed cases of Covid-19 according to the  ministry of health.

Addressing the country on the education sector’s preparedness and response to covid-19, the line minister who is also the first lady Janet Kataha Museveni mentioned a number of plans which include the following;

The 30 days will end on 20th April. At the right time government will inform stakeholders about the opening date for schools. 

However, if all goes according to plan, Term 1 will open on April 27th, 2020 to June 12th, 2020, Term 2 will open on June 22nd to September 4th  and 3rd term will begin on 21st September and close on the 19th of December 2020. 

The Ministry is to organise lessons and has secured free learning airtime on radio to engage students that may not have access to online platforms. Teachers are encouraged to prepare material for the next terms and remedial work based on these lessons. 

No additional fees should be charged when Term 1 resumes. 

The Ministry has suspended any form of examinations during the #Covid19 crisis because some students lack the infrastructure to do them. 

There will not be end of Term 1 Examinations. 

Schools will only have one mock examination by the Ministry. 

Should the lockdown be prolonged, the Ministry will also communicate and find ways of engaging the learners.