Ebola Virus: Minister Janet Museveni Orders Early Closure of All Schools

ChimpreportsNov 8, 2022Read original

Education Minister Hon Janet Kataaha Museveni has ordered all primary and secondary schools to close for Christmas holidays this month, as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in schools.

All schools, the Minister says, must close On November 25ththis month, two weeks earlier than the planned closure as per the third term calendar.

As such, the schools have been ordered to kick off end of term exams as early as next week.

“Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary schools will close for Third Term holidays on Friday 25′ November 2022. The District /City/Municipal Education officers and head teachers should take note and act accordingly,” Minister Janet said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The schools will be required to conduct final/promotional exams a little earlier effective next week. Schools should communicate and prepare learners mentally and physically to adjust to this change in the school calendar. Upon completion, children will be required to immediately return safely to their homes in a staggering manner to avoid congestion and congregating.”

The early closure of Term III, the minister says is meant to de-congest schools as more cases of Ebola are coming up in schools.

The proposal which originated from the Ministry of Health was considered and approved by cabinet yesterday.

“Closing schools earlier, will reduce areas of concentration where children are in daily close contact with fellow children, teachers and other staff who could potentially spread the virus,” she said.

So far a total of 23 cases have been confirmed among children of which; 8 died while 5 had fully recovered and 16 were under isolation by 4’h November, 2022.

Overall, according to the education Ministry, 11 school children have been diagnosed with the virus.

Five schools in Kampala, Wakiso and Mubende Districts were confirmed as having had some of the children who were infected with EVD.

One child in Baby Class was stable condition and recovered, 1 Primary Six child died, while 3 children in P.2, P.4 and P.7 are in stable condition.

In Mubende, 1 child in P.5 recovered and was discharged and in stable condition, while 1 pupil in P.4 is still sick and admitted.