64 schools closed as teaching ban bites

Kampala/Mbarara

At least 64 schools had by yesterday been closed by the Education Standards Agency for allegedly defying a ban against holiday teaching. The schools, spread out across the country, will suffer unspecified penalties before they are allowed to open for the next school term, a senior ESA official told Daily Monitor last evening.

Survival for the fittest
At many schools, teachers and pupils alike jumped through windows and broke through fences and hedges to flee the advancing officials. A number of teachers, unlucky to escape in time, were arrested and handed over to the police.

In Kampala, 25 schools were confirmed closed in the two-week old operation, nine schools were closed in Mbarara, five in Gulu, 10 in Mbale, while Bukedea District had four schools closed. Five were closed in Tororo, two in Mukono and three in Iganga.

According to the acting Principal Inspector, Secondary Education Standards, Ms Frances Atima, all the closed schools can only reopen after punitive measures have been taken.“We shall write to them asking them to explain why they acted contrary to the directives,” Ms Atima said. “Depending on their response we shall either caution them or decide to withdraw their operation licences.” The closed schools are mainly private.

Ms Atima said about 25 head teachers have been asked to record statements with police for going against the directives, a move she said will also apply to others before the term resumes.

In Mbarara, teachers and pupils jumped through windows to escape the officials who were accompanied by police. Over 500 primary and secondary students were being coached in different areas of Mbarara town.

Western Uganda ESA boss John Agira, said, “All schools have a circular that they should not teach in holidays but some of them have been hesitant to comply. We have no option but to close them.” Some students told Daily Monitor that they were paying between Shs10,000 and Shs20,000 per subject for the coaching.