According to Kidega, besides conducting lessons illegally, the teachers and pupils were not adhering to the COVID-19 standard operating procedures including wearing face masks, observing social distancing, hand sanitizing, with majority not vaccinated.
A Local Council
One Chairperson with twelve teachers attached to Akanyo Primary School in
the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo district have been arrested for
allegedly conducting lessons against the presidential directive on COVID-19
prevention.
The Lamwo Resident District Commissioner James Nabinson
Kidega says the arrested was made during an operation held following a
tip off that the school was open and operating despite a ban on operations of
learning institutions.
Kidega says upon
receiving intelligence they rushed to the school on Thursday and found over
twelve teachers allegedly conducting normal lessons for over 60 pupils at the
school.
According to
Kidega, besides
conducting lessons, the teachers and pupils were not adhering to the COVID-19
standard operating procedures including wearing face masks, observing social
distancing, hand sanitizing and majority not vaccinated.
The suspects most of whom currently being detained at Lamwo Central Police Stations have been identified
as, Saverio OK Billi, the LCI Chairperson of Apyeta Central village and Ronald
Obina the deputy head teacher of Akanyo Primary school.
Other teachers
apprehended are Cavine Aciro, Geoffrey Mwaka, John Owiny, Stella Abwoyo, Vincent
Kilama, Ismael Oding, Brenda Awino, James Okech, David Jino Onen, Charles Opio
and Simon Delogary Komakech.
However, the
learners were counselled before being asked to go back home while three of the suspects, two of whom are expectant mothers and
one breast feeding, were immediately released due to their
status.
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Kidaga says he ordered
for the arrest of the LCI Chairperson for allegedly accepting social
gatherings in his area.
The Schools Deputy head teacher Ronald Obina however denied the allegations that the pupils
were being taught but rather attending a three days’ life skill training. Obina alleges that two education partner support
organizations operating in the refugee settlement had reportedly organized the
training after informing them that they had sought permission from the district
COVID-19 Taskforce.
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Cavine Achiro
the schools’ senior woman teacher reiterates that they were only attending to
the learners aged between 13 and 16 years old pupils who had reportedly remained redundant and have been
amidst observance of the standard operating procedures.
According to
Achiro, the life skills training was initiated due to concerns of the rising
cases of early marriages and teenage pregnancies within the refugee settlement
and the host community.
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Kidega, who in any case t=heads the district Covid-19 Taskforce, denies having permitted any training saying the suspects are only using the
claim as to cover up their deeds since the learners who were both boys
and girls were found in possession of learning materials.
He says the
suspects acted contrary to the presidential directive that were put in place to
fight the spread of COVID-19 and appropriate penalties will be administered
against them for flouting the directives put in place to combat the spread of
the deadly disease.
Charges of disobedience of lawful orders and negligent acts likely to spread an infectious disease
have been preferred against the suspects.
