Parents urged to be vigilant, protect children as schools reopen

Parents have been cautioned against leaving children by themselves as schools reopen because some criminals who may take advantage of them.

President Museveni last week announced that all schools in the country that had been closed for over two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be reopened on January,10, 2022.

The Ministry of Education subsequently released a phased program to be followed by schools in Kampala, Wakiso and Mpigi in reopening for learners.

Speaking to the media on Monday, police spokesperson Fred Enanga said as schools reopen ,parents need to be very vigilant and escort their children to school.

“All schools are reminded to review their security emergency preparation, supervision and other safety fundamentals. The visitors procedures and how to access school buildings is a high priority area," said Enanga.

With Covid-19 still a big threat, Enanga said schools need to be very strict and regulate visitations because they are going to operate in environment that will be congested and yet the pandemic is still a big issue.

“We want to remind the matrons to examine all children upon their return to school for any sign of child abuse especially the girl victims. Most of those tend to go to school and keep quiet ad yet they have been taken through sessions of torture and other abuses while at home," he said.

Parents were urged to ensure that vehicles taking children to school are in good mechanical condition and transporting children on trucks is prohibited.

"For those who transport their children to school, it is important to walk with them to their classrooms. Some parents remain in their vehicles and ask the children to cross the roads and enter the school premises which is risky," said Enanga.

Transport operators have also been warned against carrying passengers who are not wearing masks.