Bus drivers, conductors, passengers tipped on child's education

By Francis Emorut            

Bus drivers, their conductors and passengers boarding buses in Kampala have been sensitised to take active role in ensuring that their children are learning at schools.

“Don’t just pay school fees and think that your role stops there but you have to check your child’s exercise book and approach the teachers to find out whether your child is learning,” Richard Ssewakiryanga the national chairman of NGO forum said.

Ssewakiryanga pointed out that parents have left their children to hands of teachers to handle everything and yet they can also play a key role in the child’s education.

He said the recent survey conducted by Uwezo Uganda at house hold level in 40 districts showed that 72% of P6 pupils can’t solve mathematical problems of P2.

He also said some children can’t read and construct an English sentence. Ssewakiryanga was speaking during the launch of Kisyoga film at Qualicel Bus Terminal popularly known as Baganda Bus Park in Kampala this morning (Saturday).  

He observed that the nation will not develop if emphasis is not put on to ensure that children are learning. Bus drivers plying different routes are supposed to play video Kisyoga film to educate the passengers on the importance of getting involved with their education.

The emphasis is placed on are our children learning despite going to school?
Bus drivers, conductors, passengers and onlookers scrambled for pamphlets distributed by Uwezo guiding the parents what steps they should take in ensuring that their children are learning.

Security at the Bus Park manned by Police was tight as curious on lookers surged to the venue. Benjamin Kato, the chairman of Uganda Bus Drivers Association welcomed the initiative and said he will encourage his drivers to play the video tape.

Patrick Lomo, the officer in charge of Baganda Bus Park Police Post appealed to parents to ensure that they take their children to school.

Lomo also implored parents to report cases of child abuse to Government probation officers and to Police. Furaha Afrika a cultural group entertained the bus drivers, guests and passengers.