The ministry of Education and Sports has suspended all school tours across the country following the fatal road crash in Kapchorwa last night that claimed the lives of at least 21 people, including 20 pupils from King David Junior School in Ndejje.
The directive was announced on Friday by the acting Minister of Education and Sports, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, as the government begins a comprehensive review of safety measures governing school trips.
Dr Muyingo said the suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice.
“As an immediate precautionary measure, all school trips and educational excursions are hereby suspended with immediate effect until further notice,” he said.
The decision follows the tragic accident near Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa, where a school bus carrying pupils back from an educational tour overturned, leaving several learners dead and others injured.
Muyingo said the ministry would use the suspension period to review existing guidelines on school trips and introduce stronger safety measures to better protect learners.
“This temporary suspension will remain in force while the Ministry conducts a comprehensive review of the existing school trip and excursion guidelines and puts in place strengthened safety measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of our learners,” he said.
He said the government remains committed to ensuring that educational activities do not expose children to unnecessary risks.
“The safety and well-being of our children and students remain the government’s highest priority. While educational trips are an important part of learning, they must never compromise the safety of our children,” Dr Muyingo said.
The acting minister directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports to immediately review all existing guidelines governing school tours and educational excursions and recommend additional measures to improve learner safety.
He also reminded all schools to strictly observe the current safety requirements whenever organising educational trips.
Among the existing measures, schools must ensure that all vehicles used for transporting learners are roadworthy, properly licensed and regularly inspected.
Schools are also required to hire only qualified and licensed drivers with proven safety records, carry out comprehensive risk assessments before every journey, obtain all the necessary approvals, keep parents and guardians fully informed, avoid overnight travel, and ensure drivers are adequately rested before setting off.
Muyingo said the ministry is working with the police, the ministry of Works and Transport, and other government agencies to establish the cause of the Kapchorwa crash and recent accidents involving learners.
He said the findings will help shape stronger measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The acting minister appealed to school proprietors, governing boards, head teachers, transport service providers, and parents to put the safety of learners above all other considerations.
“I call upon all school proprietors, governing boards, headteachers, transport providers and parents to prioritise the safety of learners and ensure full compliance with all safety guidelines,” Muyingo said.
The suspension comes amid growing concern over the safety of school transport following several road crashes involving learners travelling for educational activities.
