Patriotism training, formation of patriotism clubs in schools is antidote to indiscipline

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OPINION

By Hellen Seku

The tragic death of 19-year-old Shafik Wasike, a Senior Four student of Mbale High School, has once again cast a harsh light on the grim reality of what violent indiscipline of students looks like.

I was also informed that on July 8, 2025, a similar incident took the life of Muhamed Bikado, an S1 student of Iganga Parents SS, who was attacked as he returned home by students from a neighbouring school.

Parents and school administrators must be disturbed and alarmed that children and students have become what is being called ‘school gangs’, ‘ghosts’ and ‘commanders’. The question is: “What went wrong and at what stage?” Schools are meant to be places of learning, growth and safety, not battlegrounds among students. It is shocking that some students in schools who are now being referred to as: ‘gangs’, ‘ghosts’, etc. are terrorising their peers with impunity.

Parents and school management must handle this matter with the urgency it deserves. You are both responsible for the re-establishment of the discipline that once defined our education system. How can you allow indiscipline to reach the point where students carry knives instead of pens, ready to fight instead of learn, within the school environment?

The silence from school administrators and parents in the face of escalating indiscipline is deeply concerning. You should take charge of restoring order and nurturing the character of these students. Administrators must go beyond punitive measures and invest in proactive, holistic programmes that foster respect, empathy and responsibility among students.

They must insist on zero tolerance for any form of indiscipline within the school environment. If you realise that the level of indiscipline is escalating, reach out quickly to the law enforcement personnel. Do not wait. Act quickly. The law enforcement personnel and community leaders must also do their work of responding quickly to situations that warrant their intervention.

Delays or unwillingness to disrupt the actions resulting from such levels of indiscipline leads to tragedy that could be avoided.

Religious institutions, once pillars of moral guidance in education, must reassert their role in instilling self-discipline and social values among the youth. Pointing fingers alone will not solve the problem. What we need is a united front. Parents, teachers, law enforcement personnel, religious leaders, and community members all have a role to play in safeguarding our children and moulding their behaviour and character. We must also return to the spirit of communal responsibility, where a child’s upbringing is a shared duty. At the heart of this effort must be the cultivation of patriotism.

Since its launch in 2009 under the guidance of President Yoweri Museveni, the patriotism programme has demonstrated its potential to transform student behaviour. Schools that have embraced patriotism and training report fewer strikes and a notable shift in student attitudes, from apathy and aggression to discipline, pride and leadership. Patriotism training is not about politics, but values. It promotes honesty, hard work, respect for authority, academic excellence, healthy living and love for one’s country and fellow citizens.

These are the very qualities that counter the allure of gang culture. When students feel connected to something greater than themselves, they are less likely to fall prey to violence and indiscipline.

Orientation programmes for new students, especially senior ones and fives are critical moments to instil these values. Schools that prioritise patriotism from the start have seen their students become role models, ambassadors of discipline who influence their peers positively.

Families, too, must not neglect their role. A nurturing home environment builds the emotional resilience that children need to make sound decisions. When children grow up surrounded by love, support, and clear moral guidance, they are far less likely to resort to violence. Let this tragedy mark a turning point.

I urge all school management committees and education stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC).

Together, we can scale up the establishment of patriotism clubs and integrate mindset change training into the school culture nationwide.

The writer is the commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC)