When the coronavirus (COVID19) broke out, according to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than one billion children worldwide were are at risk of falling behind due to school closures aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization reveals that since its outbreak two years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education systems globally, affects the most vulnerable learners the hardest.
Indeed in Uganda, the government closed schools at the end of March 2020 when COVID19 patient zero was registered. The schools remained closed until January 10th 2022 when they were reopened for physical learning.
While schools devised means of studying using internet tools like Zoom and using media like radio and television, it wasn’t as effective as the traditional means where a teacher conducts classroom lessons physically.
But with schools across the world reopening their doors to the learners, many school administrators are ecstatic and beaming to have their students and teachers back in classes teaching and learning.
In Uganda, an excited Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), an international school that brings learners from over 60 countries, is not letting its guard down when it comes to fighting COVID19 and is safeguarding itself, the learners and staff against the virus which has claimed over 7m people worldwide.
“We have finished our first week of face-to-face teaching; more than 90% of our students are back with physical learning. It is really nice to have a school full of students, full of noise and happy faces,” Terry Garbett, the school’s director said.
Adding: “Extracurricular activities will start in about a week’s time. It is really a pleasure to be back almost to normal education,”
He emphasized the importance of students adhering to the standard operating procedures like wearing masks all the time, social distancing, and washing hands regularly.
Kampala International School Uganda which was established in 1993 as Kabira International School, offers an international education to students between 2 and 19 years of age.
The multi-cultured school is privately owned with an Advisory Board of Governors and the day to day running of the school is managed by the Director.
The school centrally located in Kampala and situated on 14 acres of land was purposely built to accommodate over 1000 students increasing in line with the development of Kampala and Uganda.
There are four science labs, three computer labs, three practice music rooms, three performance areas, and indoor gym, outdoor basketball court, 25 m eight lane competition pool, two libraries, five acres of playing fields and smart boards in most classrooms.
The school adapts the English National Curriculum for the Primary School and until Year 9 in the Secondary School. After that, students study for the internationally recognized Cambridge IGCSE (examined in Y11) and IB Diploma (examined in Y13).
The curriculum ensures that rigorous educational standards are maintained and that progression of educational experience is monitored.
Credit: EarthFinds
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