The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has advised the Ministry of Education, and the managements of tertiary institutions to stage vaccination centres at the different entrance points of tertiary institutions.
Today November 1, universities and other tertiary institutions re-opened for physical lectures, since they were closed after the latest lockdown following a surge in the Covid-19 cases.
However, some students have reportedly been denied access to some tertiary institutions due to lack of vaccination cards.
Speaking to the press at the FDC headquarters, in Najjanankumbi, the Party Spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda noted that government should first identify the number of students, teachers and support staff that have not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19.
“How many of them have so far been vaccinated and a plan to have the rest vaccinated,” Ssemujju said, adding, “in fact, vaccination teams should be stationed at the entrance of each university to vaccinate returning students, teachers and support staff.”
The FDC party spokesperson, suggested that students who refuse to be vaccinated should be encouraged to attend classes through zoom because this is their choice.
The Kira Municipality legislator also demanded that a comprehensive plan be issued and debated by the country through Parliament.
“Museveni and wife should release a detailed plan of helping students from poor families with tuition, usually universities demand full payment before exams,” He said.
He added, “We demand for a similar plan for the re-opening of the rest of the schools in January. Museveni and his wife must prepare the country adequately and early enough. There are many schools that have been sold. Many teachers who have abandoned teaching and some are in the Middle East working as domestic workers. Some school buildings have collapsed. Parents laid down from their work places because of Covid and have no money to pay fees need help. These issues must be addressed.”
Ssemujju noted that the ‘rigid’ policy cannot work under this Covid 19 situation, suggesting the education ministry to use part of the budget allocated to it in the last two years of lockdowns to help parents.