PARLIAMENT – Members of Parliament have demanded the suspension of the programme where learners are being taught on TV and radio, saying it is not serving it’s purpose.
The programme which is spearheaded by Ministry of Education and Sports, started on April 27 to help learners keep abreast with their studies during the lockdown over coronavirus.
But a cross section of MPs on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, said that the programme is not having an impact since many homes do not have TV and radios due to lack of power and poor signal outreach.
Bunyole West MP James Waluswaka, said the programme only favours those in urban areas and the rich.
“If the whole country doesn’t access the materials. So, it is a clue that government wants to have very few learn. This programme should be suspended,” Mr Waluswaka said.
He was supported by Elijah Okupa (Kasilo county), Hannifa Kawoya (Sembabule Woman) and Silas Aogan (Kumi Municipality), among others.
“I don’t know what the Ministry of Education had in mind that children will learn on radio. I think since we are not aware of when the schools will re-open, there is need to improve the programme,” Kawoya said.
However, State Minister of State for Higher Education John Muyingo said that the programme is only intended to keep the learners busy as they stay at home.
He also said that the materials sent to districts were enough to reach all the learners in their homes.
He said that the materials were sent through the Resident District Commissioners (RDC s) who sent them through the Sub-counties to Local Council one Chairpersons who finally deliver to homes.
“We want to reach each and every learner where her or she is. We are also now reaching every owner of a radio station and by end of the week we will have got in touch with them” he said.
The Speaker directed the Minister for Information and ICT, Ms Judith Nabakooba to present a list of radio stations before for the House to appreciate the accessibility of these lessons.
