By BigEyeUg Team
The Ministry of Education and Sports has suspended all school trips and educational excursions with immediate effect following a number of road accidents involving learners, including the recent tragic crash involving King David Junior School in Kapchorwa.
Acting Minister of Education and Sports Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo announced the suspension on Friday, saying the decision was taken as a precautionary measure as the government reviews existing guidelines governing school travel.
“As an immediate precautionary measure, all school trips and educational excursions are hereby suspended with immediate effect until further notice. This temporary suspension will remain in force as the Ministry conducts a comprehensive review of the existing school trip and excursion guidelines and introduces strengthened safety measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of learners,” Muyingo said.
The directive comes shortly after a devastating road crash involving a bus belonging to King David Junior School in Ndejje, which occurred in Kapchorwa and claimed the lives of 20 pupils and one adult, while several others sustained injuries.
In his statement, Dr. Muyingo expressed condolences to families affected by recent school trip accidents and wished a quick recovery to learners who were injured.
“The Ministry of Education and Sports is deeply disheartened by the recent road accidents involving school trips. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and wish a full and speedy recovery to all those who were injured,” he said.
The minister emphasized that while educational trips play an important role in enhancing learners’ experiences outside the classroom, they must not put children’s safety at risk.
“While education trips are an important part of learning, they must never compromise the safety of our children,” Muyingo stated.
He added that the Permanent Secretary has been directed to immediately review existing regulations and recommend additional measures aimed at improving the safety of learners during school travel.
Dr. Muyingo also reminded schools to strictly adhere to safety requirements before organizing trips, including ensuring that vehicles used are roadworthy, properly licensed, and suitable for transporting learners. The suspension will remain in effect until the Ministry completes its review and introduces new safety measures.