Resume traditional parenting, Seku urges parents
“Parents are spending a lot of time consuming data and engaging on social media platforms like TikTok, laughing and smiling alone from the living room to the bedrooms, while neglecting their children and spouses,” Seku said.
Seku urged the students to use their future positions to contribute to Uganda’s social and economic development by rejecting corruption, sectarianism, nepotism and other practices that undermine national development. (Credit: PPU)
RUKUNGIRI - The Commissioner of the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) at State House, Hellen Seku, has urged parents to return to traditional parenting practices and take greater responsibility for raising and grooming their children.
Seku made the remarks while presiding over the pass-out ceremony of more than 1,700 students from four schools in Rukungiri District: Immaculate Heart Girls’ Nyakibale, Karoli Lwanga Institute of Health Sciences, Kinyasano Girls’ High School and Makobore High School.
The ceremony was held at the Immaculate Heart Girls’ Nyakibale playground after a route march through Rukungiri Town, where the students covered more than 3.6 kilometres as part of the patriotism training activities.
At about 12:35pm, Seku was warmly received by Sr. Sabina Tumusiime, the head teacher of Immaculate Heart Girls’ Nyakibale, together with the other heads of the participating schools.
Presenting a memorandum of understanding on behalf of the four schools, Mercy Okuyangabire highlighted some of the challenges experienced during the training, including a language barrier during the early morning drills, where facilitators sometimes used a lot of Swahili, a language unfamiliar to many of the students.
The ceremony was held at the Immaculate Heart Girls’ Nyakibale playground after a route march through Rukungiri Town, where the students covered more than 3.6 kilometres as part of the patriotism training activities. (PPU Photos)
Okuyangabire said the students were initially unfamiliar with early morning drills and training sessions that sometimes extended late into the night. However, she said the programme had helped instil resilience, discipline and determination among the learners.
She pledged that the spirit developed during the training would not end with the pass-out ceremony, but would instead be carried forward by the students in their daily lives.
The schools applauded the patriotism programme and asked the NSPC to expand it to more districts, regions and other parts of the country so that more young people can benefit from lessons on patriotism, discipline and love for Uganda.
Seku warns youth against negative influences
Seku cautioned the young patriots against what she described as negative influences and behaviours that could undermine their future.
She urged the boys and girls to avoid peer groups and social circles that could mislead them and ultimately affect their lives and future.
She also emphasised the importance of discipline, saying it should not only be practised at school but should become a lifelong value that is reflected at home, in workplaces and in positions of responsibility.
Seku urged the students to use their future positions to contribute to Uganda’s social and economic development by rejecting corruption, sectarianism, nepotism and other practices that undermine national development.
Seku also challenged parents to reclaim their role in raising their children, warning that excessive use of social media was affecting parenting and family relationships.
She urged parents to return to what she described as traditional parenting, where parents actively guide, discipline, mentor and groom their children.
“Parents are spending a lot of time consuming data and engaging on social media platforms like TikTok, laughing and smiling alone from the living room to the bedrooms, while neglecting their children and spouses,” Seku said.
She encouraged parents to strike a balance between technology use and their responsibilities at home, stressing that children require the presence, guidance and attention of their parents.
Students rewarded
The ceremony also featured the recognition of students who excelled in different aspects of the patriotism training.
Among those recognised were guard commanders and other students who demonstrated outstanding discipline, commitment and leadership during the training.
They received certificates and various gifts in recognition of their efforts.