There was joy at most secondary and primary schools in Kasese as learners returned to their respective institutions of learning

By Our Team

There was joy at most secondary and primary schools in Kasese district as learners returned to their respective institutions of learning after almost two years of closure.

On Wednesday March 18, 2020, President Museveni announced the closure of schools following the prevalence of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently all institutions of learning officially closed on March 20, 2020.

However, in his end of year message on December 31, 2021, President Museveni said schools would fully reopen today.

On Monday morning, our news desk dispatched a team of reporters to all the constituencies across the district to ascertain the situation on the very first day of reopening.

At Kamaiba Primary School in Kasese town, 600 pupils including 400 girls and 400 girls reported according to the Head teacher, Rev. Benjamin Bwambale.

At Kasese Primary school, at least 300 pupils out of 600 had turned up according to Rev. Fr Joseph Mbusa, the Education Secretary for the Diocese of Kasese, who was also found in the field inspecting the schools founded by the Catholic Church.

At Kasese High School in Kasese town, our reporter only saw one student in school while at Kasese Junior School, there was no difference. Only one pupil was seen in class and seriously attended to by a teacher.

At Katiri Primary School in Bulembia Division, only 112 pupils turned up out of 624 while at Bulembia Primary, 85 out 730 pupils turned up.

At Kitabona Primary School in Kyarumba sub-county, only 120 pupils out of 470 reported with 06 teachers, according to Jackson Mughuruka, the Chairperson Board of Directors while at Rwenguhyo primary school in Kisinga Town Council, 250 pupils out of 704 reported to the institution with all the 16 teachers, according to the school’s Head teacher, Francis Muhindo Kalhungulha. 

In Mpondwe- Lhubiriha Town Council, at least 351 pupils out of 650 were seen at Kitalikibi Primary School in total observance of the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures, according to Eliab Bwambale Kakundese, the School’s Head teacher.

Meanwhile in Busongora County North, Ven. Wilson Kighoma Nzaghale, the Archdeacon for Rwesande Archdeaconry, who also doubles as a teacher reports that during his inspection exercise at Kyabarungira primary school in Kyabarungira sub-county, it was discovered that only 178 pupils and 11 teachers turned up for classes.

At Ngome Vocational Secondary School in Kyondo sub-county, 29 students and 06 teachers reported at the institution, and at Ngome primary School, 174 pupils and 10 teachers turned up while Kalikikaliki primary school, 209 pupils and 13 teachers out of 15 were seen at the institution according to the Sub-county Councilor representing Ibimbo Parish, Erinasani Masereka.

Our reporter also visited Muhokya Internally Displaced Camp to ascertain if they the victims of school going age did go to school but the story was negative. According to Rehema Aryema, the Camp Secretary, most of the pupils did not go to school because their parents failed to meet the requirements.

Aryema also told our reporter that out of 110 pupils in their candidate classes in the camp only 0.01% went to their respective schools.