Ebola forces govt to close schools earlier than planned academic program
Recently, the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, asked the Ministry of Education and Sports to consider early examinations for non-candidate classes so that schools can close early for the third term holidays.
Following a Cabinet decision to reduce the third term of this academic year by two weeks, the Ministry of Education and Sports has now confirmed that schools will break off as early as 25th November 2022.
The State Minister for Primary education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, has today told journalists at Uganda Media Center that the decision was made to decongest schools that are likely to increase the vulnerability of children to the Ebola Virus Disease.
The Minister added that closing schools earlier will reduce areas of concentration where children are in daily close contact with fellow children, teachers, and other school staff.
“And for that matter, the Ministry of Education and Sports wishes to inform the general public, as follows: pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, will close for term 3 holidays on Friday 25th November 8, 2022. The districts city municipality education officers and head teachers should take note and act accordingly,” she said.
According to Kaducu, to date, the country has so far registered 23 Ebola Cases among children. She noted that 8 had died while 5 have recovered, and 16 were under isolation by 4th November 2022.
Overall, 11 school children have been diagnosed with the dangerous disease, with 5 schools in Kampala, Wakiso and Mubende having produced infected children.
“The Ministry procured and distributed temperature guns to schools in Mubende, Kassanda districts and other affected districts. Further, we directed and warned all boarding schools against sending back children home on short-term holidays during PLE examinations,” she explained.
In September, the Ministry of Health in Uganda, together with the World Health Organization, confirmed the outbreak of the EVD Sudan variant in the Mubende district.
Currently, the country has so far registered 135 Ebola cases, 53 deaths and 62 recoveries.
Recently, the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, asked the Ministry of Education and Sports to consider early examinations for non-candidate classes so that schools can close early for the third term holidays.
“The Permanent Secretary recently, in one of her addresses, urged schools to ensure that they follow the standard operating procedures during this time until the children do exams and go home. However, it would be extremely nice if the Ministry of Education considered early exams so that we are only left with the candidates,” Dr Aceng said.
