EDITOR
At a thanksgiving ceremony held at Rwentobo High School in Rushenyi County, Ntungamo District, the District Schools Inspector, Mr. Robert Tuzarirwe, urged parents to take a more active role in guiding their children’s decisions, warning that poor parenting is contributing to indiscipline and financial strain in families.
Speaking during celebrations to mark the school’s improved Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, Mr. Tuzarirwe expressed concern that many parents have relinquished their authority to children, allowing them to make major decisions without guidance.
“There is a growing tendency among parents to let children manage themselves—deciding what to eat, where to go, what to wear, and even which schools to attend. This is wrong. Parents must determine the direction of the family,” he said.
He noted that while it is important for parents to explain decisions that affect their children’s future, they should not allow children to dictate choices that place financial and emotional pressure on families. According to him, such practices are contributing to rising indiscipline within communities.
Mr. Tuzarirwe also encouraged parents to reconsider rushing students into non-technical courses immediately after O’Level. He argued that the current job market requires individuals who have attained greater maturity and academic growth, which he said is often developed at A’Level.
The school’s head teacher, Mr. Vincent Mubangizi Barugahare, echoed the inspector’s concerns, saying that laissez-faire parenting is increasingly affecting school management. He observed that some students attempt to manage themselves at school in the same way they do at home, complicating efforts to maintain discipline and academic focus.
Rwentobo High School was founded by Prof. John Mugisha Katekyeza, the current Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University, together with Mr. Boaz Muhimbura. The school operates under a public-private partnership arrangement.
Mr. Barugahare said the thanksgiving ceremony was organized to reward academic excellence following a significant improvement in performance. The school registered 103 A grades in various subjects in the latest UCE results, up from 44 A grades the previous year.
During the event, parents also appealed to school administrators to regulate expensive leavers’ parties, saying such celebrations distract students from their studies and negatively affect academic performance.
The ceremony highlighted both the school’s academic progress and the need for stronger collaboration between parents and educators to ensure learners’ discipline and future success.
