Kampala: Uganda’s schools were ordered to reopen, after nearly two years of closure – the longest school shutdown in the world – but not all were able to welcome pupils back. Godwins, in Kalerwe in Kawempe division, is one of the many schools that will never reopen. It had been in existence for 20 years catering to children whose parents work in nearby Kalerwe market.
The management called a meeting of the parents and told them that they won't be able to reopen the school. Some parents who were in the meeting fainted. Some fell sick for weeks. Kampala’s suburbs are littered with ghost structures that were once schools. Some buildings were sold, while others have been destroyed to make way for real estate development. Kampala Capital City Authority said that more than 40 schools in the city have closed for good. Local media is awash with reports of schools turned into bars, restaurants or travellers’ accommodation.
There are no official figures on the number of schools that have failed to reopen countrywide. Upcountry, some students arrived to find school roofs blown off or classrooms taken over by anthills. They were forced study under trees. Covid guidelines mean extra costs for schools and parents. Schools unable to meet these and the demands by some landlords that they pay rent arrears will stay shut – and many may never reopen.
Experts warn against the impact of long closure on schools and pupils cannot be overstated. Before the pandemic, Uganda was battling poor educational outcomes. This will worsen as dropouts grow.
