NSPC rallies stakeholders on student welfare, patriotism in Jinja

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National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) Commissioner Hellen Seku has called on education stakeholders to prioritise student welfare, discipline, and patriotism following the completion of a monitoring and evaluation exercise.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Jinja Secondary School in Jinja City, Seku met with city and district leaders, district patriotism coordinators, and heads of schools to discuss emerging challenges affecting learners.

Seku highlighted alarming cases of abuse, moral decay, and neglect among learners, citing incidents of incest and inappropriate relationships between teachers and students.

National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) Commissioner Hellen Seku called on education stakeholders to prioritise student welfare, discipline, and patriotism. (Courtesy photo)

She strongly condemned such acts, describing them as unacceptable both legally and culturally.

Seku narrated a case where she intervened to rescue a schoolgirl allegedly abused by her biological father, emphasising the need for vigilance among parents, teachers, and authorities. She warned perpetrators of severe legal consequences, stressing that government would not tolerate such crimes.

She further expressed concern over teachers who focus solely on academic performance while neglecting students’ emotional and psychological well-being.

According to her, many learners suffer in silence due to lack of guidance and counselling support in schools.

“Teachers are not just educators but parents and counsellors. Learners should feel safe to open up about their challenges,” she said, urging teachers to reclaim their role as mentors and moral guides.

Seku also cautioned against producing academically competent but morally compromised individuals, warning that such a trend could undermine the country’s future.

Meanwhile, NSPC Assistant Commissioner Richard Owaruhanga addressed concerns regarding patriotism training and certification.

He acknowledged delays in issuing certificates to students who completed training in previous years, attributing the backlog to administrative challenges inherited by the current leadership.

However, he assured stakeholders that measures had been put in place to ensure certificates are now issued promptly during pass-out ceremonies while clearing previous backlogs.

Owaruhanga warned schools against issuing unauthorised certificates, describing the practice as fraud punishable by law. He emphasised that only NSPC, through the Commissioner’s office, has the mandate to accredit and issue valid certificates.

He also criticised substandard patriotism training conducted without NSPC supervision, noting that some schools focus excessively on drills and parades while neglecting ideological education.

National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) Assistant Commissioner Richard Owaruhanga addressed concerns regarding patriotism training and certification. (Courtesy photo)

“Patriotism is not about parade and drill; it is about ideology and mindset transformation,” he said, urging schools to coordinate with NSPC for proper training programs.

The meeting concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among schools, coordinators, and government to ensure effective patriotism training and holistic development of learners.

Stakeholders pledged to strengthen guidance systems in schools and uphold standards set by NSPC to safeguard students and promote national values.