Are prefects taking on too much responsibility?
Apr 01, 2007
School prefects seem to be taking on more and more responsibilities. Some of them say it interferes with their studies. Teachers say it is a good practice for them to learn about responsibilities.
School prefects seem to be taking on more and more responsibilities. Some of them say it interferes with their studies. Teachers say it is a good practice for them to learn about responsibilities. Harriet Birungi asked some prefects and teachers their opinions
WHEN Tricia was promoted to Primary Six, her mother suggested to her that becoming a prefect would be the next best thing before she left primary school.
Unhappy, she told her mother she did not have time to waste carrying out teachers’ duties.
“Prefects at school have to look out for pupils who are not wearing the right school uniform by arriving earlier than other pupils; go to see if the food is ready and move from class to class to ensure silence, other than concentrate on revising. I do not have that time,†Tricia replied.
While Tricia looks at leadership in school as taking on teachers’ roles, other students view it differently.
Joweria Kiconco, a health prefect at Nabagereka Primary School, Mengo, says being a leader is good but challenging. It also makes one learn to become responsible.
“Because I am in charge of ensuring cleanliness at school, it is a reminder that before I tell others to be clean, I have to be clean myself,†she explains.
But sometimes, she has to do the work herself, yet lessons start at 8:00am. “I have to be at school as early as 7:00am in order to get pupils to clean before lessons begin.
But if they refuse or a majority of them come late, I take on the role of the cleaner. I miss out, since l have to clean while lessons are going on.â€
Violet Nekesa, a general prefect at the same school says that apart from ensuring cleanliness and punctuality, she keeps the keys to the classrooms.
Besigye Ramadhan, the time keeper, said he has to be early, irrespective of the weather conditions.
“Sounding the bell also acts as a reminder for both teachers and pupils that it is time for, or end of lessons,†he says.
The head prefect at City Parents’ School, Winnie Begumisa, says she has to be a judge to other prefects, on top of other duties.
“When prefects have complaints about being abused, they come to me to have the matters settled. This is a challenge as I have to ensure fairness to either the prefect or pupil.â€
Some leaders, however, say doing the different roles, gives students experiences and the certificate at the end of term of service is a reward.
Juma Teddy, a teacher in charge of prefects at City Parents’ School, says the roles of prefects help them become responsible and independent.
“Through their interaction with other students and solving of the small issues that arise, prefects become responsible,†Juma says.
She also adds that it is through prefects that they, as teachers, get the views of students in regard to a given problem identified by the students.
“It is easy for the students to talk to their leaders. And from the leaders, the views reach higher authorities,†she stated.
A teacher from Nabisunsa Girls School says whereas some students may express fear that being leaders will take too much of their reading time, before one becomes a leader, her performance is scrutinised.
If it is found poor, that student will not be allowed to become a prefect.
But if being leader is the student’s only strength, then she will be given a chance at leading.
WHEN Tricia was promoted to Primary Six, her mother suggested to her that becoming a prefect would be the next best thing before she left primary school.
Unhappy, she told her mother she did not have time to waste carrying out teachers’ duties.
“Prefects at school have to look out for pupils who are not wearing the right school uniform by arriving earlier than other pupils; go to see if the food is ready and move from class to class to ensure silence, other than concentrate on revising. I do not have that time,†Tricia replied.
While Tricia looks at leadership in school as taking on teachers’ roles, other students view it differently.
Joweria Kiconco, a health prefect at Nabagereka Primary School, Mengo, says being a leader is good but challenging. It also makes one learn to become responsible.
“Because I am in charge of ensuring cleanliness at school, it is a reminder that before I tell others to be clean, I have to be clean myself,†she explains.
But sometimes, she has to do the work herself, yet lessons start at 8:00am. “I have to be at school as early as 7:00am in order to get pupils to clean before lessons begin.
But if they refuse or a majority of them come late, I take on the role of the cleaner. I miss out, since l have to clean while lessons are going on.â€
Violet Nekesa, a general prefect at the same school says that apart from ensuring cleanliness and punctuality, she keeps the keys to the classrooms.
Besigye Ramadhan, the time keeper, said he has to be early, irrespective of the weather conditions.
“Sounding the bell also acts as a reminder for both teachers and pupils that it is time for, or end of lessons,†he says.
The head prefect at City Parents’ School, Winnie Begumisa, says she has to be a judge to other prefects, on top of other duties.
“When prefects have complaints about being abused, they come to me to have the matters settled. This is a challenge as I have to ensure fairness to either the prefect or pupil.â€
Some leaders, however, say doing the different roles, gives students experiences and the certificate at the end of term of service is a reward.
Juma Teddy, a teacher in charge of prefects at City Parents’ School, says the roles of prefects help them become responsible and independent.
“Through their interaction with other students and solving of the small issues that arise, prefects become responsible,†Juma says.
She also adds that it is through prefects that they, as teachers, get the views of students in regard to a given problem identified by the students.
“It is easy for the students to talk to their leaders. And from the leaders, the views reach higher authorities,†she stated.
A teacher from Nabisunsa Girls School says whereas some students may express fear that being leaders will take too much of their reading time, before one becomes a leader, her performance is scrutinised.
If it is found poor, that student will not be allowed to become a prefect.
But if being leader is the student’s only strength, then she will be given a chance at leading.