School administrators and parents in Bunyangabu District, Western Uganda have demanded the government to vaccinate all learners and teachers to avoid disruptions when schools reopen.
On Sunday 6th June 2021, President Museveni announced fresh restrictions as part of measures to control the COVID-19 transmissions in the country in face of the second wave of the pandemic.
Among the fresh restrictions, was the closure of all educational institutions across the country for 42 days effective June 7 as the ministry of health studies the situation.
However, some primary and secondary school administrators say that learners were affected during the first lockdown and this is exhibited in the poor grades registered during their examination and the high cases of teenage pregnancies.
The Deputy Head teacher at Kibito Primary School, Annet Kajumbukire Byamugisha said the lockdown would expose the learners to the virus and asks the government to vaccinate all them.
“ Am wondering and questioning the government’s decision to close all schools yet they had been opened after inspection by the Ministry of health and education authorities. The closure of these schools will affect the planning and budgeting of the school” She said.
Byamugisha said, “If the vaccine can be given to young children, then it should be administered to all the learners so that classes can immediately resume. And all the teachers have to vaccinate. Am glad here at our school, out of 33 teachers in the school 31 have already been vaccinated”.
John Mugisa, the head teacher of St. John Secondary in Buhesi Sub County said, “The suspension of learning activities affects both students, parents, schools and the community. But I think it’s now vital for the government to consider vaccinating both teachers and learners to ensure the learning process is not interrupted in the future”.
Joseph Akugizibwe a parent from Rwimi , Rwimi town council wants the government to allow teachers to organize the teaching of learners from the villages. He said that learners can be put into small groups and taught by teachers in their communities or villages.
Joyce Kusiima a student is optimistic that the government will allow teachers to do home-based coaching but asked students to read books and stop concentrating on TV.
