The Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataha Museveni has warned teachers against absenteeism ahead of the scheduled resumption of learning.
Janet Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday while meeting a section of headteachers from different secondary schools at Kololo ceremonial grounds during the selection and placement process for senior one and senior five learners.
She noted that when schools reopen in January next year, headteachers should ensure that they take part in the COVID-19 surveillance at their respective schools to safeguard learners under their care.
On June 18, President Museveni re-imposed the second lockdown in the country, closing all educational institutions of learning, public gatherings and banning public transport after an escalation in the COVID-19 infection rates.
Teacher absenteeism is still one of the major challenges facing the education sector.
Research puts Uganda as the second-highest country with teacher absenteeism ranking at 27 percent in a recent study conducted among 21 countries.
According to the World Bank, the vice is one of the top factors leading to poor academic performance in many schools across sub-Saharan Africa.