The Ministry of Education will start inspection of schools across the country today to assess compliance with the required standard operating procedures (SOPs) ahead of the reopening on October 15.
During his address last month, President Museveni cleared schools and other education institutions to reopen for candidates and finalists, but with strict adherence to SOPs.
According to the circular from the Commissioner for Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education, Mr Kule Baritazale, which is addressed to all heads of institutions and schools countrywide, those who will not have in place the listed SOPs will not be allowed to reopen.
“As we plan to reopen schools for candidates, the ministry is mindful of the safety of the learners, staff and visitors to the institutions. The ministry through the Directorate of Education Standards has therefore organised to inspect the institutions before the learners of candidate classes report,” Mr Baritazale said.
“Institutions that will satisfy the basic requirements as indicated in the guidelines will be issued with compliance certificates and allowed to reopen. The details are indicated in the inspection guidelines and the inspection tool. We have decided to send you the guidelines and the tools so that you can make adequate preparations. Please be at your institutions to participate in this assessment,” he added.
He said the inspection will be carried out by officers from both the Ministry of Education and the Local Governments.
According to the requirements, before being given compliance certificates each school must have adequate furniture arranged for social distancing of at least two metres apart per learner and there should be evidence of good ventilation and lighting.
All schools should have isolation rooms, where learners suspected to have Covid-19 will be kept before being taken to hospital.
For boarding section, the school should have adequate number of beds for learners with one learner per bed and beds should be arranged two metres apart.
Schools must show evidence of training of staff and learners on Covid-19 and should have in place trained personnel to manage screening of learners and staff.
Schools are also required to have washing facilities at all strategic points with clean water source, soap and proper water disposal.
There should also be restricted access to and from school and schools are expected to have a fence or demarcated boundaries or barriers.
