The Kitgum district COVID 19 Taskforce has declined a request made by a section of parents to grant them permission to conduct communal teaching for learners at village and cell level.
The Kitgum district Internal Security Officer David Aisu confirms having received the request from parents who had wanted to negotiate with the taskforce about an appropriate means of okaying learning at village level.
According to Aisu, the parents argue that through the structured communal lessons parents would convene few learners in the upper classes not exceeding more than twenty from within a cell or village and identify a teacher to conduct lessons.
Doine Aparo Okello, a parent in support of the request says learners have missed out on school since the lockdown due to COVID-19 was declared last year and in June this year rendering children idle and continually exposed to indecency and other unacceptable practices from within the community.
Okello says they would commit to checking on the children to ensure they are getting on well with the studies amidst observing the stipulated standard operating procedures including wearing a face mask, hand washing, observing social distancing and not exceeding 20 learners.
The Kitgum Resident district Commissioner William Komakech however declined the request saying the presidential directive against school opening is clear and the taskforce cannot go against the restrictions under place to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Komakech says they are aware of parents encouraging illegal lessons within the community but warns that these acts would be disastrous since learners can easily transmit the disease to their primary contacts that include their parents, caregivers and family members.
The request comes soon after a teacher who was arrested conducting illegal coaching of thirty children in Pandwong Division, Kitgum Municipality tested positive for the coronavirus disease.
The thirty learners the suspect was reportedly teaching and their contacts including their parents, caregivers and family members were however tested and their results turned negative of the highly infectious coronavirus disease.
Komakech urged parents to continue exploring all recommendations made by the government to support children learning at home as they remain patient ahead of the expected official reopening of schools earmarked early next year.
Government has tentatively recommended the use of mass media through radio and television broadcasts learning, distribution of learning materials and online learning as the most effective way to support home learning during the corona virus lockdown.
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