Education

Uganda’s school reopening is supported by the United Kingdom, Ireland, and UNICEF.

As Ugandan schools prepare to reopen after a long hiatus, the UK and Ireland have teamed up with UNICEF to assist two crucial activities aimed at ensuring a safe and long-term reopening.

As Ugandan schools prepare to reopen after a long hiatus, the UK and Ireland have teamed up with UNICEF to assist two crucial activities aimed at ensuring a safe and long-term reopening.

The focus will be on school-based surveillance for early detection, reporting, and treatment of emergent COVID-19 instances in schools, according to a press release, with a secondary focus on mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) wellbeing training to help teachers and children acclimate.

UNICEF has received £450,000 (Shs 2.1 billion) from the UK to support the initiative. In addition, Ireland has given UNICEF Euro 1.8 million (Shs 7.2 billion) for the government’s overall school reopening strategy, with a portion of that going to UNICEF.

The government has prioritized the program as part of its School Re-opening Strategy, and the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Health will work together to implement it in districts and schools around the country. The training will take place in all of the country’s schools.

“I sympathise with my Government of Uganda colleagues who have had to make incredibly difficult decisions over the last two years,” Kate Airey, British High Commissioner to Uganda, said at the start of the session. When the government declared that schools will reopen on January 10th, I, like all Ugandans, was relieved.

It will be difficult to reclaim lost ground – and doing so is critical not only for our children individually, but also for the future of our country.

“I share UNICEF’s appreciation for all headteachers and teachers present here,” stated UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Munir A. Safieldin.

Others can help, but only you can keep the schools secure and provide the excellent education that children require and deserve. We recognize that there are numerous obstacles, and your role as the spearhead of this effort is one of the most onerous.

Teachers, on the other hand, are the only ones who can make this happen. In your capable hands, the future of a generation of youngsters, as well as the destiny of the country.”

“Ireland is happy to support Uganda’s efforts to securely reopen schools, and establishing effective surveillance is important to maintain a safe learning environment for pupils and staff alike,” said Cormac Shine, Chargé d’Affaires at the Irish Embassy. Ireland remains dedicated to supporting education in Uganda, with our development partners, and the safe reopening of schools represents a watershed moment after a difficult few years.”

Up to 40,000 schools (both public and private) around the country will be equipped by district authorities to track and manage COVID-19 cases and provide re-entry support to students and teachers.

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