Parents across the Teso region have been called upon to strengthen their role in guiding and protecting their children during the forthcoming long term holiday.
The appeal was made during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Bethany Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School Soroti, where an overwhelming number of parents gathered to discuss the welfare and future of their children.
Soroti City Resident Commissioner (RCC), John Michael Okurut, urged parents to be more vigilant by monitoring their children’s movements, the company they keep, and their activities outside the home.
He discouraged the practice of sending children to stay with relatives for long periods, noting that such arrangements often expose them to harmful behavior.
Okurut commended the school management for instilling strong values in learners.
He expressed delight after witnessing students confidently sing all stanzas of the national and regional anthems, including cultural anthems of the Iteso and Kumam communities.
He encouraged other schools to emulate Bethany by teaching national anthems as a way of strengthening patriotism among learners.
He further warned parents against allowing children to engage in harmful behaviors such as drug abuse, bad peer influence, and involvement in immoral activities.
“When our children return home, let us ensure we know their whereabouts at all times whether day or night,” Okurut emphasized.
He encouraged parents to uphold Christian values by ensuring that children attend church and learn morals that shape discipline and character.
The RCC also raised concerns about economic hardships in Teso, which have led many parents to shy away from their responsibilities.
He called on families to engage in income-generating activities that can sustain households and secure the children’s future.
On the political season, Okurut advised parents to protect their children especially those of voting age from manipulation and unnecessary involvement in electoral activities.
While encouraging parents to guide their children’s choices, he warned them against forcing political decisions onto them.
Mr. Okiria Martin Obore, Director of Bethany Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, noted that parents today are competing against modern challenges such as drugs, social media influence, pornography, and cultural conflicts between African and Western values.
He urged parents to be focused, hold regular family meetings, and choose schools that have strong religious and moral foundations.
Obore shared testimonies of students whose character transformed positively after joining the school, emphasizing the importance of selecting institutions that shape both academics and values.
He cautioned parents to regulate children’s movements, especially during political seasons characterized by music, excitement, and youth-targeted messages that may expose them to danger.
He recommended a strict rule preventing children from loitering beyond 7:00pm.
Rev. Obone Godfrey, Soroti Anglican Diocesan Education Secretary, thanked parents for supporting one of the Church of Uganda founded schools.
He reminded them that Iteso have always been known as responsible parents, especially in paying school fees and attending school meetings calling on them to uphold this reputation.
He encouraged parents to invest in their children’s education, including at higher levels such as university, where many lose momentum due to rising tuition costs.
Rev. Obone also appealed to parents to teach children cultural values, including cultural anthems, to preserve identity and heritage.
Headteacher Opesen Paul appreciated the large parent turnout and announced that, beginning next year, the school will officially open an A-Level section.
He added that the institution will change its name from Bethany Girls Comprehensive SSS to Bethany Comprehensive Senior Secondary School.
He also urged parents to escort their children back to school at reporting time, instead of sending them with boda bodas, which can expose them to risks.
A parent, Julius Engemu, welcomed the discussions and emphasized that both parents and schools share responsibility for raising well-rounded children.
He disagreed with the school’s optional lunch policy for day scholars, arguing that learners need meals to concentrate in class.
“An empty stomach cannot learn,” he said, urging the school to make feeding mandatory for all students.
Engemu also requested for a health package that can cater for common illnesses such as malaria and UTIs among boarders without always sending them home.
He encouraged regular engagement between parents and teachers when handling student disciplinary issues.
He concluded by advising parents to teach their children cultural norms and avoid leaving them to be influenced by social media platforms like TikTok.
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