Students challenge parents on forcing them on career path

PIC: Dr Annet Khingi, an IHK doctor from the radiology department  (left) explaining to Kabojja International School 13th-year students how an ultra sound machine works during the career guidance tour held on IHK hospital in Namwongo, Kampala on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. (Credit: Shamim Saad)

EDUCATION | CAREER

KAMPALA - For children to be fulfilled in their future work experience, parents have been urged to stop forcing career paths down their throat.

The students said some parents are in the habit of forcing their children to do careers the latter are not interested in and this has consequences in future to the person as well as their work.

The students said other than forcing a child to take on a career path they are not interested in, the parents should guide the child to assess their strength and weaknesses when it comes to a career and let the child do what they like.

"Listen to your children, do not force them to take on career paths they are not interested in just because that is what you think is good for them. When someone takes on career path they are not interested in, the person is likely to end up unhappy and unfulfilled in the job, absenteeism and under performance are likely to come up when they get that job," said Festus Agya, a student at Kabojja International school.

Dr Edward Nakabaale, a radiographer at IHK demonstrating on one of the Kabojja International school student how an Ultra sound machine works. (Credit: Shamim Saad)

Christiaan Drani, another student, said when one loves what they do; they do it wholeheartedly, efficiently and have high chances of making it in life.

"That is why career guidance is key so that the children are able to make right career choices. Career guidance should be done by both parents and teachers," Drani said

They were speaking in an interview during the tour at International Hospital Kampala (IHK), in Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb at the department of radiology on Tuesday.

Charles Sabiiti, the school's physics instructor, said these students who were 12 in number, are in their 13th year of study, which is equivalent to Form Six.

He said the purpose of the tour was to bring students to learn more about remote sensing, where one can see what happens inside the body without opening up any body part.

In the radiology department, activities like CT scan, X-rays, Ultra sound scans for different body systems are carried out.

Dr Annet Khingi, an IHK doctor in the radiology department  (left), the client's management co-ordinator IMCs, Livingstone Wasswa (centre) and the physics instructor at Kabojja International School Charles Sabiiti (right) interacting during the students' career guidance tour held on IHK hospital in Namwongo, Kampala on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. (Credit: Shamim Saad)

Sabiiti explained that part of the examinations these students sit for require for them know how these machines work, their advantages and disadvantages, adding that since schools do not have such equipment, the students visit hospitals with such machines to appreciate how they work and avoid obstructiveness.

On the other hand, Sabiiti said there is need for continuous changes in the syllabus by the Government to incorporate what is new and relevant, and do away with what is irrelevant for the 21st century,  saying this will enable learners in local schools improve performance in subjects especially Science subjects.

Sabiiti further suggested that to improve performance in the local schools, it is important for teachers to go for refresher courses to acquire new knowledge and move at the same level with the ever changing world, especially in the area of technology.