Uganda: Bridge schools stay but ministry has some advice

África/Uganda/02 Octubre 2016/Fuente: TheObserver/Autor: YUDAYA NANGONZI & SIRAJE LUBWAMA

Resumen: El 17 de agosto, el Ministerio de Educación y Deportes ordenó que Puente Internacional Academias (BIA) cerrar sus escuelas antes del inicio del tercer periodo. Sin embargo, como Yudaya NANGONZI y el informe SIRAJE LUBWAMA, las escuelas han obtenido un alivio temporal de la alta corte. Las polémicas escuelas puente internacional ahora pueden abrir sus puertas para el tercer mandato después de Justicia Patricia Basaza emitió un fallo a su favor el jueves pasado. El Ministerio de Educación y Deportes había ordenado a las 63 escuelas a cerrar la tienda al final del segundo período por razones que no cumplan con las normas establecidas.

On August 17, the ministry of education and sports ordered that Bridge International Academies (BIA) close their schools ahead of the start of the third term. However, as YUDAYA NANGONZI and SIRAJE LUBWAMA report, the schools have obtained a temporary reprieve from the High court.

The controversial Bridge International schools can now open their doors for the third term after Justice Patricia Basaza made a ruling in their favour last Thursday. The ministry of education and sports had ordered the 63 schools to close shop at the end of the second term on grounds that they do not meet established standards.

Following the inspection of BIA facilities in various places, the ministry noted the poor infrastructure, hygiene and sanitation, which the inspectors said “put the life and safety of the school children in danger.”

The schools were also found to follow a curriculum that hasn’t been approved by the ministry. Acting on this information, minister of education Janet Museveni called for the suspension of the schools’ activities in Uganda until they meet the required standards.

Bridge International ran to court, seeking to block the ministry’s decision on September 2, a move that paid dividends last week. In her ruling on Thursday, Justice Basaza said:

“I’m allowing the schools to open as we resolve this issue of the wanted document. We must also allow the respondent (AG) a constitutional right to be heard. The applicant needs to file a rejoinder by September 30 and the case is adjourned to October 3.”

Earlier, the ministry had issued a statement targeting parents with children in Bridge International schools ahead of the new term, which starts today. In the statement dated September 21, assistant commissioner for primary education Dr Tonny Mukasa-Lusambu advised parents to take their children to the nearest public schools.

“I call upon all parents to take their children to the nearby government schools because, where Bridge [International] opened their schools, some of the government schools are just next door,” Dr Lusambu told The Observer.

“There is no need for alarm … government deploys teachers in these government schools and they are ready to attend to the children,” he added.

NEW TERM GUIDELINES

Commenting on the new term, Dr Mukasa-Lusambu called on head teachers and teaching staff to hit the ground running. Lusambu said schools should desist from the bad practice of making children who report on the first day to clean up the school premises.

“There is this habit of making children clean, slash and sweep the entire school yet their lessons are supposed to start at exactly 8am on the first day,” Dr Lusambu said.

“Even those who are at home also keep on waiting until the cleaning is done.”

The term, which ends on December 9, is the busiest in the schools calendar with national examinations to be held at all three levels – PLE, O-level and A-level. O-level exams are scheduled to start on October 17 and end on November 23, while P7 candidates will sit between November 2 and 3. A-level exams, on the other hand, start on November 14 and end on December 6.

Acknowledging that some learning days in the term could be disrupted by the examinations, Lusambu asked teachers to stick to the curriculum.

“All subjects must be taught as indicated in the curriculum. Subjects like MDD, physical education and sports, art and entrepreneurship should not be ignored because they are all important in raising a holistic child,” Lusambu said.

Commenting on capitation grants, Lusambu expressed optimism that the schools will receive their grants on time now that the ministry of finance has restructured the payments in keeping with the school calendar.

He also encouraged parents to provide their children with all the necessary school requirements, including lunch.

Fuente de la noticia: http://www.observer.ug/education/46665-bridge-schools-stay-but-ministry-has-some-advice

Fuente de la imagen:http://www.observer.ug/images/BIA-led-lawyer-Isaac-Walukagga-BIA-director-legal-Anthony-Mugodo-BIA-legal-officer-Godwin-Matsiko-and-BIA-director-customer-experience-Dawn-Mulondo-chat-after-the-ruling.jpg