Students attend an airing lesson in Kampala, Uganda, on Aug. 16, 2021. Uganda on Monday resumed airing lessons on radio for upper primary and secondary school levels as schools in the country remain closed. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)
KAMPALA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) — Uganda on Monday resumed airing lessons on radio for upper primary and secondary school levels as schools in the country remain closed due the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The lessons airing on different stations across the country are expected to run through September, according to a statement from the ministry of education.
“Parents and guardians are, therefore, requested to support the learners with radio sets and to also allow them time to tune in to the various radio stations in order to attend the lessons,” the ministry said.
Aisha Namaganda, a parent in the central district of Wakiso, said she had bought a small radio set for her daughter to enable her to attend Senior One lessons.
“She is ready but the problem is that where she has not understood, she will not be able to interact with the teacher,” Namaganda told Xinhua in an interview.
She added that some subjects might not be easily understood through radio.
Joseph Tusiime, a primary school teacher from the western district of Kyenjojo, told Xinhua by telephone that learners in urban centers are in a better position to benefit from the radio lessons.
“This is planting time and children have to go with their parents in the farms. So it might not be easy to wait for lessons,” Tusiime said.
“Those in trading centers will follow the lessons since they have all the time. Those with educated parents will also benefit from the lessons as they will support the learners,” he added.
Schools were closed in May following a spike in COVID-19 cases.
The education ministry has said it is working with the health ministry to ensure that learners who are 18 years old and above as well as teachers are vaccinated.
The country also said it would import vaccines to inoculate children aged between 12 and 18 years old. Enditem