By Prisca Atuhaire
While schools and institutions remain closed for the next 30days, government is proposing a plan to ensure students keep engaged in distance learning through boadcasting lessons on Radios and Televisions across the country during the lockdown.
Yesterday June1st,2020, President Museveni while addressing the Nation on COVID-19 revealed government proposal to radio sets to every household and 2 TV sets for each village to facilitate learners in attending long distance learning.
The proposal follow the suspension of earlier plan to re-open schools for students in candidate classes and finalists in tertially institutions.
Museveni had earlier on directed Ministry of Education and Sports officials to design a strategy on reopening of schools and education institutions for only candidate and finalists classes. These were according to the directives supposed to reopen effective June5th.
Gov’t however has postponed the reopening to more 30days due to lack of safety transport means to transport learners to schools particularly those in border districts where both public and private transports are restricted.
During his address last night, President added that candidates and finalists are a total of 1.4 m and the government does not have adequate resources to carry out the tests on learners for COVID-19 therefore, are also to remian home.
He emphasized on continued learning on radio and Television pledging for government’s proposal to purchase a radio set for every households and at least two TV sets per village to facilitate learners who cannot access TV and radio especially in villages.
He tasked Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda to come up with a strategy to enhance coverage to ensure all learners access educational programmes on radio and TV. Uganda so far has over 70,000 villages.
When the National Task Force on COVID-19 designs a clear strategy, each village shall get two TV sets and a radio per households as a mean of implementing government long distance learning programme.
Schools were closed in March after the global outbreak of Corona virus and they were expected to re_open next week especially for candidate classes and finalists.
On the other hand, public transport that is buses and taxis were allowed to operate starting from 4th June but on 50% – half capacity of the passengers. Drivers were directed to carry hand sanitizers all the time as well as ensuring conductors and all passengers are wearing masks.
Transport means in the border districts are still banned since they border the most affected countries.
Boda bodas are only allowed to carry cargis but not passengers
Even though public transport was given a greener light, the curfew time still remained in place from 7:00pm _6:30am while all other restrictions stay in place like wearing face masks while in public, avoiding gatherings and other congregations as this can easily spread the virus.
