The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) of Namayingo, Trevor Solomon Baleke has encouraged parents to invest in the education of their children so as to give them a strong foundation and a better future.
While officiating as Chief guest at the school’s inter-house Music, Dance and Drama competition of Uganda Martyrs Centenary Senior Secondary School, Kangulumira, Kayunga district on Saturday, Mr. Baleke noted that education is the biggest investment children can obtain from their parents.
He said children need to acquire not only accessible but quality education.
He urged parents not to neglect their sons while focusing on the girl child education
“But don’t only educate the girls. If yours is a girl, make sure all boys in your community are in school and getting quality education because they can potentially affect your daughter either now or in future,” he said.
“It will have a boomerang effect in future if this country concentrates on girl child education alone. Who shall marry them? Shall an uneducated husband allow your educated daughter to get employed? Please make sure we prepare future husbands, male leaders, clergymen now,” he said.
The Deputy RDC said the government is committed to ensuring that every child of school-going age is in school and the parents need to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that their children remain in school.
He said the education of a child is a secure investment for the entire family, hence the need for all parents to finance the education of their children.
“It is your child who shall change the name of your family either positively or negatively, depending on how you’re bringing them up,” warned Baleke.
Baleke, an Old Boy of the school said education is a shared responsibility and a society that fails to develop its youngsters intellectually faces a challenge in a world where knowledge and transformation are the order of the day.
He expressed concern about the failure of some parents who dont partake in the upbringing of their children.
This, he said, led to increased indiscipline among some of the children and called for a strong parent-teacher association to put parents on their toes to live up to their responsibility.
Baleke said education was the key to success, development and empowerment hence every child had the right to enjoy that training.
He encouraged learners from humble backgrounds to pay less attention to their history. He said if they concentrate on education, the sky shall be the limit.
“Many of us have very humble backgrounds but we are role models to many of you. It is not by coincidence that the school administration invited me to officiate at this event but this is my school,” he said.
Baleke also lauded the school administrators led head teacher, Fred Kalule, his deputy, Ruth Nassolo and the staff for ensuring the school has excelled academically also producing well disciplined students.
“This is one of the schools producing the most disciplined students in this region. Our good character as old boys and girls of Uganda Martyrs Centenary has opened many doors for us. I encourage you to respect and listen to what the teachers are telling you,” said Baleke as he pointed at the students.
On the same occasion Rev.Ven. Canon Ignatius Kabuuka Bogere, the patron of the school, encouraged parents to love their children and not to look at them as a burden.
“As a parent, you must know where your children are and their friends, the responsibility of shaping a child’s behaviour fall squarely on parents.
Baleke pledged to pay a half of school fees for one term for five students with outstanding performances during the MDD competion. They included Jovita Namukose, S.6, Ester Nakibuuka, S5,
Michael Sonko, S2, Dalton Mpungu, S4,
Jesca Nampala, S.3 and Henry Kigundu, S4.
He also donated a set of musical instruments to the school.
Religious and local leaders plus parents led by the PTA chairman, George William Batte turned up for the event that coincided with the Visitation Day. Nyanzi House won the trophy.
