Strikes: Parents blamed

Due to the rampant school strikes last term, we asked you to write in and share your views with us. Below are some quotes from some of the 80 letters we received.Many parents no longer find time to guide their children on how to behave. They also do not have time to be with their children and so become their role models. They are too busy trying to earn a living. In some cases, the parents’ role has been taken over by domestic workers and relatives. These people sometimes sodomise and defile the children.”Dr Ijuka Kabumba--------------------“Teachers should avoid over punishing students. That is, telling them to dig an ant hill and bring out the queen in a day.”----------------------“The prefectorate body should also be given some degree of autonomy to lead fellow students. This is because students feel more comfortable being directed by peers than by adults. “Eric Katarirya,(Student)Makerere CollegeSchool, Kampala.------------------“There are other major issues in our education system that may need the intervention of policy makers. One such issue is streaming. In a very large number of schools, children are categorised into A,B,C,D classes. This is based on academic ability. Students in the lower streams choose friends from their own stream in which they can gain status and respect. In this way the anti-school peer group is formed. In this way, the students help solve their problem of status deprivation and frustration brought about by the school. Streaming in schools may therefore be the inherent cause of strikes in our schools.”Moses Bakaswirewa, Iganga.----------------“School governing boards should have guiding rules. They should be comprised of people with clean public records. They should always make follow-ups to ensure that the school administrators are effecting resolutions and budgetary allocations. The working system of these boards should generally be prudent but not necessarily confidential.”Prescort Ahumuza, Ntare School, Mbarara.------------------------“Headteachers should hold termly meetings with student leaders to brief them on programmes, projects and problems the school is handling.“A daily menu to be made, put on the school notice boards and followed.“Debating societies (junior and senior) to debate on salient issues affecting the school. For example, good meals versus school bus, better student care versus expanding extra curricular activities.” Joseph Kabaseke, Hima Cement, Kasese.--------------------“It would also be good if government organised a ‘strike eradication programme’ in Uganda.Stephenson Oribo-Wat, Kitgum Progressive School.------------------“Students applying and or intending to join secondary school and higher institutions of learning must take the ‘anti-strike allegiance oath’. This should be done before a magistrate.Charles Oolio,Kumi.