Schools across Uganda have been directed to establish isolation rooms, enforce daily health screening and strengthen hygiene measures as learners return for second term on Monday amid heightened Ebola surveillance.
The directives are contained in new Ebola prevention Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports in coordination with the Ministry of Health following the recent outbreak linked to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Education officials say the measures are intended to keep schools operational while minimizing the risk of transmission in crowded learning environments.
“As we prepare for reopening, all school heads are urged to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to the Ebola prevention Standard Operating Procedures issued by Ministry of Health,” the ministry said in a statement.
Under the new guidelines, every school is required to designate a temporary isolation area where any learner, teacher or visitor showing Ebola-like symptoms can be separated before referral to health authorities.
The SOPs also require schools to carry out temperature screening at entry points, maintain handwashing stations with soap and water, and ensure regular cleaning and disinfection of classrooms, dormitories, toilets and school vehicles.
Authorities warned against physical greetings such as handshakes and hugging, while schools have been advised to discourage sharing of personal items among students.
The reopening of schools comes at a sensitive time for Uganda’s education sector, which remains cautious about disease outbreaks after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health experts say schools are high-risk environments because of close interaction, shared facilities and movement of learners from different parts of the country.
According to the Ministry of Health, Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials, making early detection and isolation critical in preventing wider outbreaks.
Parents have also been drawn into the response strategy, with authorities urging them not to send children to school when sick and to immediately seek medical care if symptoms such as fever, vomiting, bleeding or severe weakness appear.
Teachers and school nurses have meanwhile been tasked with monitoring learners for signs of illness and quickly reporting suspected cases to district surveillance teams.
The government has maintained that there is no need to close schools or impose nationwide restrictions at this stage, insisting that strict compliance with health measures can allow learning to continue safely.
Education officials say district inspectors and local health teams will conduct monitoring visits to assess whether schools are implementing the SOPs effectively.
The move reflects Uganda’s broader strategy of maintaining economic and social activity while strengthening targeted disease surveillance and public health preparedness.
