The 2020 academic year began in early February.  JJ’s pupils and students studied throughout February and the beginning of March.  However, activities came to an abrupt end when the President issued a directive to close all schools on 20th March in an effort to avoid any spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thankfully, a planned “Bible-based business training” had been successfully delivered in the week before the shutdown.  Mike Clargo from Reconxile and his son, Ian, spent time at JJ Excel College from 9th-13th March and delivered a valuable training on setting up and running a small business.  Participants included tutors, second year students, two teachers from JJ’s secondary school and also representatives from a neighbouring youth group and SACCO (Savings and credit cooperative).  Teaching sessions in the morning were followed by practical activities in the afternoons.

It is planned that tutors will now begin to deliver the training at the college on a regular basis, providing an opportunity for all students who pass through the college to learn how to build a successful small business. The staff from the secondary school are exploring its potential to enhance the learning of secondary students, especially those who study Entrepreneurship.

Educational institutions in Uganda are tentatively slated to re-open on 27th April 2020, although this may change as the situation in the country with regard to Covid-19 continues to be monitored.

In the meantime, children and young people across Uganda are staying at home.  Some television channels have introduced educational programs for young people during this period, and there is a wealth of learning-materials online.  However many children and young people across Uganda, including most of JJ’s pupils and students, do not have access to such services; there is no TV at home, nor a laptop or smartphone which can be used to access online services.  Thus young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have a much harder task to continue learning and progressing in education than do many of their peers.  Mindful of this, the government has announced that it is producing educational material to guide children and young people during this time.   It is also encouraging radio stations to introduce educational programs (radios are more widely accessible).