Schools warned
Head teachers in secondary schools have been cautioned to deal gently with learners if they are to minimise incidents of strikes and fires in schools.
Sam Kuloba, the Commissioner of Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports, partly blamed rising student unrest on stiff methods of operation by schools.
Kuloba, during the Annual General Meeting for the Association of Secondary Schools Head teachers of Uganda (ASSHU) in Mbarara City said head teachers needed to become more receptive to what learners have to say.
Schools warned
He warned administrators to listen to unaddressed concerns of learners whether right or wrong and stop unfair disciplinary processes and punishments.
“There is a school that caught fire, when I visited it, I realised they have over 50 rules and the children had nowhere to turn to and vented their anger in a different way. Engage students and leaders and give time to these students,” he said.
He asked school administrators to follow up keenly on the management of co-curricular activities, saying that’s how wrong elements infiltrate schools, citing an example of coaches who are recruited from outside but have a huge influence on learners.
Kuloba asked schools to monitor indecent dancing and dress code in schools and during co-curricular activities.
Police Director for Fire and Rescue Services, AIGP Joseph Mugisa, recently explained that most school fires registered are a result of deliberate action. This involves revenge by former staff, suspended or expelled students or internal bickering.
The Ministry of Education and Sports also temporarily banned live music concerts in schools and blocked artists from staging shows in schools until the ministry puts in place the necessary guidelines.
This is after the former health minister and Tororo Woman Member of Parliament, Sarah Opendi expressed worry that the artists were fueling immorality among learners, which was likely to affect their mental health.
