East African Gazette
Wakiso
Teachers have been called upon to be ambassadors of change in their respective schools by instilling patriotic core values into learners if the country is to develop a generation with a sense of responsibility towards their homeland.
“Fostering patriotism among the younger generation is currently in the education system and it contributes to the full development of individuals who are ready to contribute to their society” said Hellen Seku the Commissioner of National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC)
According to Seku said teachers have a lot of impact on the lives of students and in so doing, you are making this nation but while doing your work, do it with a patriotic heart and be agents of change because it starts with me and you,”
“Teachers should take us to be what you want us to be. And you also have a slogan which goes that because you are so the nation is. This means that when you fail a teacher, you will find us on the streets, “Seku noted
The call was made by the Commissioner of National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps (NSPC) Hellen Seku during a stakeholders meeting that was held at Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo
Seku also encouraged the teachers to reflect on the relationships they have with learners for they contribute a lot to what the future holds for them.
“As a teacher when you are teaching these students, try to reflect on your relationship with them, do you love them, how often do you encourage them to work hard and always advise them to consult where they have not understood,”
“As teachers, you should be parents and patriotic to students because when you are a mother or a father at home, you have to treat your children equally and avoid diverting them into evil acts.” She added.
She further encouraged all the stakeholders to embrace preaching the gospel of appreciating and cherishing our natural endowments.
She said that it is the role of patriots to jealously protect and conserve all the surrounding resources through tree planting.
“As patriots, we recognize the important role forests play in the ecosystem, therefore it is our duty to ensure that the forest cover is not only protected but increased for sustainable development,”
After this workshop expect you to go back to your different schools and encourage students to plant trees, especially fruit trees and by doing so, those same trees will provide shade, they will earn a living after selling fruits but also it is a way of teaching students to be hard working. “She added
Nabboth Kagoro the Residents District Commissioner (RDC) Kira Municipality said that all the indiscipline cases which are deeply rooted in some schools have been due to a lack of patriotism lessons and discipline.
” When students are patriotic, we shall not have strikes and other related indiscipline cases anymore in schools because our students will learn how to love themselves, schools, families, communities where they stay, their country and East Africa at large, adding that teachers play a big role by imparting morals to students, and I believe they are going to share the same patriotism knowledge they have got from the workshop with the students,” Kagoro emphasized.
The head teacher of the host school Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo Father Henry Kasasa applauded NSPC for choosing his school to be the host of such an important ceremony.
“I would like to thank the Secretariat for picking us as the hosts and we want to let you know that every time you have such an event our doors are always open. He thanked the Commissioner for spreading the gospel of patriotism in schools and communities believing that once the students have the right ideology, we shall have a better Uganda,” said Kasasa.
The meeting that was conducted by NSPC after two days of intense on spot evaluation and monitoring of schools from Wakiso, was attended by head teachers, deputies, teachers, patrons of patriotism from various schools as well as Kasangati RDC Frank Kyazze, Kira Municipality RDC Nabboth Kagoro among other dignitaries.
Background Patriotism
Patriotism program in schools was initiated by President Museveni in 2009 to nurture responsible citizens and a new generation with a positive attitude towards their country and families.
The President who is also the chief patron of all patriotism clubs in the whole country believes that for Uganda to be able to achieve its aspirations as stated in the Vision 2040, its citizens need to have a right mindset towards work, improving our competitiveness and have a collective participation
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