Universities asked to develop guidelines for reopening

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Higher institutions of learning have been asked to develop guidelines ahead of next week’s reopening.

Education institutions have been closed since June following a surge in Covid-19 cases.

In September, President Museveni cleared universities and other tertiary institutions to reopen on November 1.

The institutions have been asked to reopen under the staggered manner of learning as well as ensure vaccination. In addition, they are to adopt the standards operating procedures against Covid-19 as required by the Ministry of Health.

Addressing the media on Friday at the Media Centre, Dr Pius Coxwell Achanga, the Director Quality Assurance National Council for Higher Education-NCHE noted that the institutions should base their capacity on the facilities they have to consider how many students can report at a given time.

However, he noted that the first-year students will be given priority when the institutions reopen. He adds that this is intended to create room for new entrants.

Reuben Twinomujuni, the Public Relations Officer Kyambogo University explained that they will give priority to practical courses and the rest will study depending on the arrangement by faculty deans.

Since August, the Ministry of Health has been carrying out vaccination against Covid-19 for teachers and students above 18 years in preparation for the reopening of tertiary institutions.

Achanga noted that 95 percent of staff have been vaccinated by Kampala City Council Authority-KCCA medical teams.

Dr Dennis Mugimba, the Spokesperson Ministry of Education says that they are yet to ascertain how many students have been vaccinated. He added that technical institutions will not receive unvaccinated students and staff.

This week, NCHE indicated that institutions that cannot handle double classes, especially in light of the pandemic restrictions such as physical distancing, should reopen in a phased manner and are required to submit their programmes to the NCHE for approval.

Institutions were also cautioned against additional fees for the completion of a semester. They were also asked to put in place the standard operating procedures.

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