As the general elections enter last bend and schools set to reopen for the first term on February 2, religious leaders and education officials in the Masaka Diocese are calling on parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s schooling.
The appeal emphasizes that while government support covers tuition under Universal Primary and Secondary Education policies, families must address essential needs to improve learning outcomes and ensure a smooth transition back to the classroom.
The message was delivered during the annual memorial and thanksgiving Mass at the ancestral home of Bishop Serverus Jjumba in Bulando, Masaka City. Held at the start of each year, the gathering brings together relatives, clergy, and community members to pray for departed family members, express gratitude for the past year, and address a pressing local challenge.
Masaka Diocese Inspector of Schools, Mr. Keziron Kayinga, highlighted the gaps in household support, stressing that government-funded tuition does not eliminate family obligations.
“Government pays tuition, but the home must provide uniforms, books, and food,” he said. “A hungry learner fails to concentrate. We are now seeing ulcers among children in school. Food is a problem that parents must address.”
He also encouraged parents to support extracurricular activities, particularly sports and talent development programs planned from sub-parish to diocesan levels, noting that these build discipline, confidence, and opportunities for future progress.
Speakers further urged parents to enroll children in nearby schools and make modest contributions toward facility improvements, reinforcing community ownership of education.
Fr. Nkonge Nswa, headteacher of Blessed Sacrament Secondary School Kimaanya, warned against the dangers of excessive pocket money.“Students set up small lending operations in school, which distracts them,” he said. “Parents must guide their children.”
Religious education teacher Ms. Nalwanga Winne Kalanzi criticized parents who challenge school management over small fees for extra lessons.
“Twenty thousand shillings for extra lessons helps a child,” she said. “Some parents fight school management instead of supporting learning.”
Bishop Serverus Jjumba delivered a powerful call for sacrifice, discipline, and long-term thinking in parenting.
“Education requires sacrifice,” he said. “If you invest in your children, they will support you in the future.”
He advised against over-pampering, urging parents to instill work habits and a positive attitude toward vocational training in fields like carpentry, tailoring, and mechanics.
“These courses require intelligence,” he said. “They create employment faster.”
The call aligns with broader efforts in the Masaka Diocese, where Catholic-founded schools continue to mobilize modest parental contributions despite government policies promoting fee-free education, as these funds support better management and instill family responsibility.
As learners prepare to return to school, pre-primary, primary, and most secondary students reporting on February 2, education stakeholders encourage parents to view this post-election period as an opportunity to recommit to their children’s holistic development, ensuring stronger academic performance and employability in a competitive future.
