A recent report by Makerere University has shown that more children in Uganda are suffering from anxiety and depression due to school closures. The government of Uganda closed schools in March 2020 after the Covid-19 breakout in Uganda. Since then, children have been staying home, with most of them unsure of when they will go back to school.
According to Olive Najjuma, a presenter on RX Radio, if schools don't open soon, children will suffer deeper depression that may impact them as adults.
"Children need routine, it's only in school where they feel complete, where they are able to interact with fellow children from other families and areas. Confining them in their homes for this long has made some of them feel hopeless. Some don’t even understand why they can’t go to school and this causes confusion in their young minds," Olive said during the Thursday Fatboy show.
She added; "There are reported cases of children that have become suicidal due the changes in their routine and structure due to the stringent methods to curb the spread of Covid-19. Government needs to make a decision regarding schools re-opening and fast".
Her co-host James Onen aka Fatboy noted that it was sad that there were not enough psychologists in Uganda that would offer help to the depressed children.
"We do not have money to invest in mental health but have billions to buy new expensive monster motor vehicles for members of parliament! Our priorities as a country are really lacking," Fatboy said.
Government recently announced that schools would be re-opened in March 2021 but for only continuing students in sub-candidate classes and kindergartens to stay closed because the learners therein are prone to respiratory infections and cannot observe the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures.
The president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to address the nation about the way forward for general schools re-opening today Thursday 4, February 2021.
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The Fatboy show is hosted by James Onen aka Fatboy and Oliver Najjuma every weekday from 6am to 10am on RX Radio.
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