As schools reopen today after two years of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bishop James Ssebagala of Mukono Diocese has directed teachers in Church of Uganda-founded schools to block pregnant or breastfeeding girls who will turn up for studies.
The bishop’s directive contradicts the Ministry of Education guidelines to accept girls who got pregnant or gave birth during the lockdown.
Bishop Ssebagala made the directive at St Paul Church Kanjuki in Kayunga District while bidding farewell to Christians ahead of his retirement this year.
He said although it is good for parents to support girls who are pregnant, it was not morally-upright to allow the victims to sit in class with other children.
Commenting on the bishop’s remarks, the State minister for higher education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, said it is a government directive that all children should go back to school whether pregnant or breastfeeding.
Muyingo said it seems the bishop doesn’t know the position of the government, promising to visit him and explain the government position.
Ms Alice Dhoya, the Kayunga District Education Officer, said she would educate school foundation bodies about the government position on pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
