By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Deadly COVID-19 pandemic seems to have escalated to another level after it has been confirmed in both government and private sectors, which includes banking sector, finance, media and now in the education sector after Gems Cambridge International School has announced that it is closing its school in Uganda to first study the virus’ effects.
This has been released in a statement that stated “As a result of these circumstances, we have been forced to make some very difficult decisions, and it is with great sadness that I am writing to advise you that CIK will close after the first term of the new academic year, with 31 December 2020 as a tentative closure date”
Statement reads in full;
“Dear Parents / Guardians,
I hope you and your families are well and continuing to stay safe.
As you know, GEMS Cambridge International School, Kampala (CIK) has been faithfully serving its community of students, parents and staff since we opened our school in 2013.
During this period, we have continuously looked to raise the quality of education and opportunities for our students and we feel very fortunate to have educated hundreds of students over the past seven years.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to affect families, businesses and whole industries around the world – and our school is no exception. The pandemic and the resulting uncertainties have proved exceptionally testing, and our enrolment numbers have been severely impacted as well as our ability to sustain our operations, despite our best
efforts.
As a result of these circumstances, we have been forced to make some very difficult decisions, and it is with great sadness that I am writing to advise you that CIK will close after the first term of the new academic year, with 31 December 2020 as a tentative closure date.
This decision has been an incredibly hard one to make and comes as a last resort. Over the summer period, we have been assessing the impact of the pandemic, whilst exploring options with our regulators. We have communicated this at the earliest possible time after exhausting all options. We know it will cause disruption to you and your family, and we will
do whatever we can to lessen the impact and ensure the upcoming transition is as smooth and seamless as possible.
We welcome our CIK families to remain with us through Term 1. Alternatively, we are making available the option of enrolling at Hillcrest International Schools, Nairobi, Kenya, either at the beginning of term 1 in September 2020 through remote learning or for term 2 in January 2021 through remote learning or physical attendance at the school premises. Years 7 to 13 students will be offered boarding options when the physical school premises reopen in Kenya; this is expected to be at the start of term 2 in January 2021.
Hillcrest has a long and proudly established heritage within the region’s education sector. Founded in 1965, the school boasts a proud tradition of academic and sporting excellence, with alumni drawn from, and found, all over the world. Hillcrest graduates have attended leading universities worldwide, with many seeking, and securing, placement in the United Kingdom and North America.
Mr. Scott Webber, the GEMS Africa: Education and Merger Director, has been part of the GEMS team since August 2016 and based at Hillcrest since August 2019. Scott has over 20 years of experience in the international education sector in East Africa and is therefore, well placed to assist members of the CIK community in exploring their children’s future education options.”
