Seriously, all that dime for what?

 

It is based on teenage girls who are centered on juicy desires and brand-name possessions of the most privileged kids in the most privileged part of Manhattan Private School. 

 

It’s not hard to imagine that many teens would want to have such a life while in school. 

 

There are kids who stock ‘rims of paper’ in their wallets and suitcases. We are talking about the medium of exchange kind of paper – MONEY!

 

As the rest of the ‘normal kids’ have the likes of Quencher and hard corn at break time, those other kids set out to the canteen to buy canned soda and fries…plus a copy of The New Vision! And just out of spite, they might house a few broke lads staring on. Their lifestyle alone is the kind of rich  you would envy!

 

But what’s the purpose of having huge amounts of money in your suitcase, yet at school you have free accommodation and your feeding is catered for?

 

The fundamental question to reflect on is, are you safe with such amounts in the dormitory, when the majority of students are broke? 

 

Of course, you think it’s none of our “b’ness” but being a teen, we are always looking out for you. You need not stress your limited self. Just be yourself and let your swag show without even trying.  

 

It came to our attention recently that the Namilyango College head teacher, Gerald Muguluma, reported that two of his students carried millions as pocket money.

 

 Such money is used to hire posh vehicles like Limousines and Hummers for prom, purposely to impress girls. 

We have all seen money being splashed during those interact club fundraisers and stuff in other schools too.

 

Many times when such money is splashed, lots of illicit stuff, including alcohol and cigarettes, come along with it.

The guys with the money also become unruly and disrespectful to teachers.

 

Not so long ago, about 20 Senior Six students of St Mary’s SS Kitende were handed an indefinite suspension for immoral behaviour. They were reportedly found intoxicated in their dormitory, after they reportedly spent sh1.5m on a ‘trans-night’ birthday party that one of the boys had thrown for his girlfriend. 

 

Chris Ziwa, an engineer and a former student of this school says: “A boy’s worth is measured by the magnitude of the birthday party he will throw for his girlfriend. The cheapest [party] will cost sh500,000. If your parents can’t give you pocket money worth that much, you just forget all about dating because every good girl will expect a party,” he explains.

 

If your parents insist on giving you all that dime, that’s their problem. How you use it is your problem. It feels funny to know that peeps who study commerce or economics continue behaving like broke chaps, who keep their money in the pot or under the mattress.

 

If it’s the swag you yearn for,  get yourself a bank account and save that money. You never know when it will come in handy. You’ll be respected more if you have your money safely stashed in some bank other than your suitcase.

 

The most annoying thing is many of the teens who are out to prove how loaded they are, are a no show when it comes to academics. After splashing money all year round, when cantab is released they are only good enough for Fs. Remember, we live in a Uganda where peeps are too quick to hate and are always waiting for your downfall.

 

 At some schools, head teachers have been forced to ban canteens, to avoid such incidents. Like creating some sort of level playing ground for all students.

 

Take it or leave it, you need an education. But first, your body, soul and mind must be focused. It is difficult for one to pay attention in class, when their mind is partly thinking about whether the millions they carried to school are safe, and how they will spend it.

 

Even counsellors agree that having too much pocket money is not a good idea.  Jamesa Wagwau says parents should never give money to their children without clear reasons. “Money is a tool which helps to buy something. And since schools are not supermarkets, why should parents give their children such huge amounts of money?”