Dickson Tumuramye
We thank God that our children are reporting back to school next week. There are some schools that have already reported, but the majority of schools have been waiting for the official date.
Many parents do not have all the necessary school fees and requirements, and there is no hope between now and the reporting date. We have schools where school fees have to be paid either in full or in half. They don’t want to know the rest. Senior ones are starting soon, and the requirements may be high, yet you have many children you are struggling with in other classes. Don’t die of pressure yet; your children have to study. If you don’t have all the expected resources and you want your children to go to better schools, cut your coat to the size of the clothing you have. Take them to where your pockets are friendly, which will allow everyone to keep in school as long as family affairs are also running well. Don’t spend all of your resources on one child right now while failing to plan for all of your children for years to come.
Consider the big picture of having all children complete their education for all years without any gaps due to poor planning. Be careful not to compete with other parents and go out of your way to show off at the expense of sleepless nights and too much expenditure. You are not in the same lane. Do what is within your means, and take children to affordable schools according to your income.
If you would like to change a child to a new school, consider taking him/her to a school that is not focused on academics only and where pressure is too much. We are not gifted at academics alone. Explore other co-curricular activities, especially those that can inspire your child’s talents/gifts or promote other things that can transform your child in all aspects of life.
The issue of homosexuality and lesbianism, or LGBTQ, is increasing in our schools. You can no longer tell if a school is safe or not. Have time to talk about these things with your children. You should equip them with all the knowledge and awareness you have about these vices. Tell them what to do when they are approached. Tell them not to be seduced by money and not to die in silence if forced into the act. Even if it was done by a teacher or a prefect, your child should report it to you or one of the school administrators.
If you fear talking about it or are not well-equipped with information, get someone else you trust to counsel your child about what is happening. You should not let your child (or children) go back to school without preparing them for the trials they will face. If you visit them at school, ask how the school is doing and how they protect themselves from things that can endanger their education. Put rules in place that can keep them safe in their careers. Let them know the consequences when they get entangled in academic business like leading strikes, getting involved in relationships and sexual behaviors, or any other behavior that can lead to suspension/expulsion. Life can’t be taken for granted when some parents struggle to fulfill school requirements.
I also congratulate the P.7 candidates who received their PLE results for 2022. Many children have expressed dissatisfaction with the aggregates they received. The people I’ve talked to and their parents will tell you that even if they got first grades, their expectations were for four to six aggregates. Unfortunately, they got more than that. There is anxiety that they may not get into their first-choice schools. This will soon happen to the Senior Four leavers, whose exams are coming up in a few weeks’ time.
Life can never be straightforward, and not everything will be on a silver platter. I am sure these children did their best, and that was the outcome. We may have nothing more to change, and life has to continue. I don’t believe you should make your child, who, for example, had nine aggregates, repeat because you both wanted four or five aggregates. This child may have wanted schools like Kings College Budo, Gayaza Girls High School, St. Mount Mary’s Namagunga Secondary School, and the likes but this may be impossible.
I would like to assure the parent and the child that you can choose another school that is not first-class, and by the end of Senior Four or Six, these children can still go to such schools or institutions of their interest. All this depends on how parents look at life and the words of encouragement we give to our children. Life is not a garden of roses and is not without ups and downs, but we can still thrive and get to where we desire to be. It is critical to remain focused, hardworking, determined, committed, and hopeful, and to place our trust in God. This child needs to know that, with God, all things are possible and that they can do all things through Christ, who will strengthen them one day.
It is not yet time to give up or feel low at this level, yet we still have many options for other better schools, both public and private, that can equally make your child shine at the end of Senior Four or Six. As parents have other better options that can help their child achieve his/her dream. Don’t look at life from one angle and think that nothing can’t be changed.
Have a positive attitude towards life. Be a good counselor to your children and the best promoter of his/her life abilities. Stand to bring the best out of your child always and don’t only look at the academic performance. Even the schools that did not perform up to their expectations should know that there is still a chance this year to shine. Don’t give up on your children and commit them to the giver of wisdom, our God.
The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor, and founder – Men of Purpose Mentorship program.