A pupil at Ibanda Primary School washing hands a practice encouraged under SOPs, School admnistrators say all practices will only work if supported by parents
The low turn
up of learners in many schools in Kasese District has been attributed to the resurgence of new
Covid-19 infections.
Administrators
argue that parents are trying to avoid paying schools fees until their convinced
of their children's safety.
In some of the
schools visited by URN reporter enrollment of learners was still below 50
percent of the initial numbers before the lockdown.
Dovicko
Kisembo, headteacher Mubuku Valley Secondary School in Mubuku town says many
parents believe another lockdown will be announced because of the increase in Covid-19
cases.
He notes that
many parents are still hesitant to pay school fees and have opted to send
learners without money.
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Josephine
Kabanyoro the headteacher of Mubuku Primary School says that the turn-up of
learners and the response of parents has been relatively low this term.
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Eric Masekera, the Katiri Primary School headteacher says parents have shunned
any activities meant to revamp the school after being hit by floods in the last
two years. He notes that parents have been demobilized from supporting the
schools on grounds that the services at the are entirely free despite the numerous
challenges.
Less than 10
parents were recorded to have come with their children out of 350 so far at the
school. The school had 624 learners before lockdown.
Silver Amon
Muhindo is the Deputy headteacher of Bugoye Primary School says information
from Bugoye Health Centre III indicates that Covid-19 community cases are rising
and this has scared many parents from sending children back to school.
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Fred Tugume the
Deputy Head Teacher Royal Ranger Secondary School in Bulembia Division says
only 40 of the expected 400 learners were at the school by Thursday. He
says many parents are keeping their children home until they are sure there are
no infections registered in schools.
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Evaleli Bwambale the deputy headteacher of Ibanda Primary School says
there is a lot of uncertainty even among those who have already sent children
back to school. Out of 632 learners that have reported back to the school
only 279 came with their parents.
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Annet Masika a parent at Kamukumbi Primary School in Isango Sub County she says
her two girls will return to school next week when she is sure there is no covid-19
infection in the school. She also asks the government to provide masks for the
learners because many parents may not afford them.
