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OPINION

By Joan Kabayambi

Education is important for all. However, educating the girl child not only keeps them busy and away from the threat of early pregnancy, but also has an impact on society. Granted, some girls might indeed get pregnant even while in school.

Had the girls not been in school at all, the situation would be much worse, including early child marriages. Everything has its timing and an educated girl will pass on positive values to their children, who are the foundation of society.

Schooling should not just be inclusive, but equitable. There should be a deliberate effort to reach out to disadvantaged girls in rural areas of Uganda.

The cycle of poverty can only be broken through education. This will prevent the boy and girl children from being left behind. We should remember that while lifting the girl child, the boy child is also key.

In future, the emancipated cheerful girl-child will want to get married to an equivalent young man showing leadership skills and positive about joint decision making. High self esteem is key for both genders.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has organised an important day to remember the value of wholistic schooling.

The sixth International Day of Education was celebrated on Wednesday, January 24 under the theme, Learning for lasting peace. Education is central in transforming people to be more accommodative on critical issues such as racism, xenophobia, discrimination and hate speech.

According to UNESCO, this year’s theme is dedicated to the crucial role education and teachers play in countering hate speech.

Teachers are the mentors of young girls and boys in school. They look at their actions and follow every word that they say. Teachers need to view their students as a blank canvas upon which they instil morals, values and inclusivity.

Appreciating that people belong to different tribes, nations, have different skin colours and religions will go a long way in creating a peaceful society.Education is a key ladder of hope outside the family and community setting to model the minds of young people.

The girl child is strategically placed since this future mother will be spending more time grooming children.

This future mother-to-be will ensure that her children get good nutrition, including breastfeeding, leading to proper brain development.

A stunted brain cannot progress far and has a negative impact on the economy.

In addition, appreciating inclusiveness and tolerance of differences ensures a peaceful co-existence. This starts in the school setting. Why hate another person because of their religion or skin colour?

The colonialists are long gone, but why should fellow Africans be xenophobic to each other? We cannot continue to blame this on foreigners.

The African girl child should continue to be supported throughout school. A strong educated girl becomes a role model mother promoting fairness in the family and equitable distribution of tasks.

Education also extends to the positive use of social media to build and not tear down society. Keeping girls in school enables the girl child realise her full potential.

Confidence building and learning vocational extracurricular skills helps demystify the true meaning of success.

Through education, everybody is a winner. The discipline instilled in the school environment, sense of duty and purpose, as well as goal setting prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century.

Young transformative leaders become agents of peace in society. Global co-existence and acceptance finds its roots in the family and existing education systems. Teachers should recognise their guardianship role in shaping the future generation of Uganda.

They groom presidents, CEOs and Members of Parliament. The power of teachers in classrooms should never be underestimated.

The writer is the past president of Zonta Club Kampala 2018-2020, currently Director- District 18 Area 3, and member of the United Nations Committee - Zonta International