Government to issue certificates of compliance to schools
PATIENCE AHIMBISIBWE
KAMPALA-The Ministry of Education has said it will inspect schools and issue certificates of compliance to those which meet the set standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the prevention of coronavirus before they are allowed to reopen next month.
Mr Cleophas Mugenyi, the director of basic education, yesterday said following the planned reopening of schools on October 15, the Directorate of Education Standards (DES) will inspect all education institutions and those which fall short of the standards will remain closed.
Guidelines
He explained that they have developed guidelines and certificates of compliance which will be given after inspection and they will advise parents in institutions which do not comply to take their children to schools with facilities.
“We will not compromise when it comes to the health of our children. If they do not have SOPs, we shall not allow them to reopen. We expect every school to have handwashing facilities, temperature guns, sanitisers, Covid-19 committees. We expect spacing between students in classrooms and dormitories of two metres. No negotiations about that,” Mr Mugenyi said.
He made the remarks during the launch of a six-month media campaign by Raising Voices to stop violence against children.
Ms Delphine Tumusiime Mugisha, the country director of Raining Voices, was concerned that many more children continue to be exposed to violence while they stay in their homes but worried that the situation will worsen when schools reopen.
She warned that the lockdown will see more children abused as they return to their respective schools without adequate supplies.
Ms Lydia Najjemba Wasula, the Ministry of Gender head of child well-being implementation unit, said there has been increased incest in homes during the lockdown and called upon both fathers and mothers to be involved in parenting.
