NCHE cautions against blocking unvaccinated students as Universities reopen today

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has cautioned universities and other tertiary institutions against blocking unvaccinated students and staff when they reopen on November 1st.

Universities and other tertiary Institutions are set to reopen today for non-medical students who have spent at least four months home, following their closure by the government over covid19.

Several universities have issued communications, noting that they will not allow any non-vaccinated students to attend lectures but Saul Waigolo, the NCHE spokesperson says blocking students without trying other options is unfair.

“The universities should first put up alternative options like opening vaccination centres at their campuses upon reopening and mobilizing students to vaccinate,” he said on Tuesday.

Makerere University, Uganda Christian University, Busitema, Kampala International University, Cavendish University have already put in place vaccination centres where students and staff are being vaccinated days before the reopening.

NCHE last month issued guidelines for reopening stating that all tertiary institutions should reopen in a staggered manner while prioritizing first-year students.

As a result, a number of institutions have come up with reopening programs, indicating which category of students will report physically on campus today, and which group will continue studying online.

 Meanwhile, Makerere University has backtracked on a directive that only science students should report for physical classes next month.

Last week, Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said that in a bid to limit student numbers as a preventive measure against the spread of Covid-19, students studying humanities and non-practical science courses were to study online.

According to Nawangwe, only students studying science disciplines or courses will report to campus come November 1, while Arts students will continue learning online and only report to campus to do exams.

However, following protests from students, the university has released circular making adjustments. All students irrespective of the course will report for physical lectures.

Most Universities will only receive on-campus students offering science-related courses while those offering arts courses will continue with the Open Distance E-learning (ODEL).