Religious content in our schools should be wider
Jul 24, 2008
EDITOR—Mr. Moses Mapesa wrote an article in The New Vision of Wednesday arguing that religious education cannot be made compulsory.
EDITOR—Mr. Moses Mapesa wrote an article in The New Vision of Wednesday arguing that religious education cannot be made compulsory.
The article was timely although it ignored matters of grave concern in our society.
Uganda’s education is at an all-time low especially given that parents pay little attention due their children due to work commitments and most schools have chosen commercial gains in form of competitive grades at the expense of developing the personalities of the students. As a result, vices like homosexuality, drug abuse, prostitution, arson, cross-generational sex, examination malpractices, forgery, etc have eaten into our schools as we helplessly watch!
Is it any wonder, therefore, that our educational standards have kept dropping? Should it surprise anybody that we rank high in corruption or bad rule? However, the solution to all this is not so far from us, it is in religion.
The youth ought to be taught that religion is not just about Jesus Christ or Muhammad but about doing and living good.
In fact, both Christianity and Islam agree on the importance of morality, justice, honesty, patriotism, and other important virtues required of an upright citizen. Sadly though, religion has also not been spared these absurd vices as some sections among the religious leaders are embroiled in scandals of embezzlement, sodomy, fraud and self-gratification.
Because of this, they command little respect in society, especially among the youth. Nevertheless, religion still has a vital role to play in our schools but should be revisited to include aspects like ethics and integrity to be more meaningful.
- Benjamin Rukwengye
Makerere University
EDITOR—I do not think teaching religion in our schools can do miracles. What we lack in Uganda are role models. Most people are immoral!
- John Kasule
Masaka
The article was timely although it ignored matters of grave concern in our society.
Uganda’s education is at an all-time low especially given that parents pay little attention due their children due to work commitments and most schools have chosen commercial gains in form of competitive grades at the expense of developing the personalities of the students. As a result, vices like homosexuality, drug abuse, prostitution, arson, cross-generational sex, examination malpractices, forgery, etc have eaten into our schools as we helplessly watch!
Is it any wonder, therefore, that our educational standards have kept dropping? Should it surprise anybody that we rank high in corruption or bad rule? However, the solution to all this is not so far from us, it is in religion.
The youth ought to be taught that religion is not just about Jesus Christ or Muhammad but about doing and living good.
In fact, both Christianity and Islam agree on the importance of morality, justice, honesty, patriotism, and other important virtues required of an upright citizen. Sadly though, religion has also not been spared these absurd vices as some sections among the religious leaders are embroiled in scandals of embezzlement, sodomy, fraud and self-gratification.
Because of this, they command little respect in society, especially among the youth. Nevertheless, religion still has a vital role to play in our schools but should be revisited to include aspects like ethics and integrity to be more meaningful.
- Benjamin Rukwengye
Makerere University
EDITOR—I do not think teaching religion in our schools can do miracles. What we lack in Uganda are role models. Most people are immoral!
- John Kasule
Masaka