By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-01-24 04:45:42
Ministry officials recently addressed pupils at Gayaza Junior Schools who were found attending lessons during an inspection. The Ministry of Education and Sports has issued a directive regarding the opening of schools. The official opening date for all schools and technical institutions is set for February 5, 2024. Any institution found operating before this date risks being closed by the ministry.
The Ministry’s Directorate of Education Standards (DES) is enforcing adherence to the school calendar, which prohibits teaching during holidays. The DES recently conducted surprise visits to various schools to ensure compliance with these guidelines. This move is aimed at preventing schools from exerting unnecessary pressure on students by engaging in academic activities during holiday periods.
The commissioner in charge of pre-primary and primary school standards, Doreen Ankunda, spoke about the importance of allowing children time for social, emotional, and physical growth and development during holidays. Some schools have been found to use holiday time to extort money from parents under the guise of compulsory holiday classes.
During the surprise visits, inspectors found children engaged in activities such as music and swimming lessons during holidays at some schools, and schools were charging parents for these programs. The officials ordered the immediate closure of these activities and demanded refunds for parents. At Gayaza Junior School, pupils who had been promoted to P7 were found attending lessons before the official opening date. The head teacher was requested to address the situation and ensure that pupils either receive refunds or make arrangements to cover the costs as part of the new term fees.
The Ministry has emphasized the importance of adhering to the approved school calendar and ensuring that children have adequate time for rest and other activities during holidays. The goal is to provide a well-balanced education that promotes overall well-being and development.
Moving forward, the Ministry will continue to conduct surprise inspections across the country to enforce compliance with the school calendar. Disciplinary action will be taken against head teachers of schools found to be in violation. Inspectors will also keep an eye on schools that enroll young children in boarding facilities and those without designated boarding facilities, potentially leading to closure if guidelines are not followed. Head teachers are urged to adhere to the approved school calendar and refrain from pressuring parents to send pupils back to school before the official opening date.
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