WAKISO UGANDA: Wakiso District, one of Uganda’s leading education centres, has banned nursery schools and lower primary classes from keeping children below the age of six in boarding facilities, warning that schools that defy the directive risk closure and prosecution of their administrators.
The directive follows new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports aimed at regulating early childhood education and improving the welfare of young learners.
Speaking during a meeting with education officials, Wakiso District Deputy Education Officer Hajjat Janat Nakabugo said the district had discovered several schools violating the ministry’s guidelines.
Nakabugo warned that the district would not tolerate schools keeping young children in boarding facilities, adding that strict enforcement measures would be taken against institutions found violating the regulations.
“We have discovered that some schools are violating the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education. Any school found keeping children below the age of six in boarding facilities risks closure, and the administrators will be taken to court,” Nakabugo said.
She also cautioned nursery school operators against keeping children at school for more than six hours, saying the district would not tolerate institutions that disregard the stipulated learning hours.
“We do not want to hear or find schools keeping these young children in class beyond six hours. Schools must comply with the ministry’s guidelines,” she emphasised.
Nakabugo further revealed that the district had stopped school vehicles from transporting children below the age of six, with the directive handed over to traffic police for enforcement.
Under the new arrangement, parents will be required to personally drop off and pick up their children from school.
“We have stopped school vehicles from transporting these young children. Parents will now be required to take their children to school and pick them up after classes,” Nakabugo said.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Education and Sports issued new guidelines categorising early childhood education institutions into three levels: daycare, nursery and pre-primary.
The pre-primary section comprises three levels, from the first to the third.
The guidelines are intended to regulate early childhood education and ensure that schools adhere to required standards in the management and care of young learners.
Wakiso District has urged school administrators and parents to comply with the new regulations to avoid penalties and ensure the safety and welfare of children.
