Heads of schools urge learners to abstain from sex, focus on studies

26 March 2025, 11:52 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As the day for the 2025 Kabaka’s Birthday Run approaches, heads of schools across the country have encouraged young people, particularly those in schools, to abstain from sex and all immoral acts. Speaking to journalists at Mbalala Senior Secondary School in Mukono district, the Director of Studies, Bakhit Swali, on behalf of the school administration, expressed their support for all efforts to keep students in school, as learners can only succeed when they are healthy.

“As Mbalala Senior Secondary School Mukono, we would like to appreciate everyone who has bought running kits to participate in the forthcoming Kabaka Birthday Run. We too will fully participate. We thank the Kabaka for spearheading this initiative to fight against HIV and AIDS in Uganda and across Africa,” he said.

Bakhit also thanked parents for entrusting the school with their children, especially in Senior One and Senior Five. “We greatly appreciate our dear parents of Senior One and Senior Five for trusting us with their children. We assure them that we are committed to doing a great job as we have the facilities, professional teachers, and other necessary resources. On that note, we would like to remind the public that we still have vacancies, and our fees are very affordable,” he emphasised.

Regarding the new curriculum, the Director of Studies mentioned initial challenges but expressed confidence that they had adapted. He appealed to the Ministry of Education and Sports to fulfil their promise to provide textbooks. “The O’level curriculum is excellent, but it came with some challenges, particularly the delay in receiving materials. However, we managed to train our teachers with the help of resourceful personnel, and as of now, they have successfully adapted to the new changes. As for Senior Five, we have received the adopted curriculum from the Ministry of Education and Sports, and we are teaching our learners according to the guidelines. However, the books are still lacking, and the ministry promised to provide them. We urge the ministry to fulfil this promise,” he explained.

In the same vein, the Deputy Headteacher of St. John’s Senior Secondary School, Mukono district, Kimbowa George William, has urged learners on Senior Six vacation to engage in productive work. “First of all, I want to congratulate our learners for making us proud by performing exceptionally well in the recently concluded UNEB examinations. At St. John’s SSS, we encourage students during their vacation to join their parents or guardians at work. If your parent or guardian is a shopkeeper, speak to them and say, ‘Mummy or Daddy, I want to work with you in the shop because I’m idle and don’t want to engage in bad acts.’ Trust me, you will be allowed,” he said.

On behalf of the school, the Deputy Headteacher also congratulated the Kabaka in advance for reaching the milestone of 70 years of age, wishing him continued health and a long life. “Here, we treasure culture, so we would like to thank the Kabaka for always reminding us about HIV and AIDS and other deadly diseases. To the young people, our friends, please abstain from sex. Reduce the appetite for money, as it can lead you into engaging in evil acts on campus due to an overwhelming desire for wealth. As the Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:10, ‘The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.’ So, as you head to university or any institution of learning, keep this in mind. We believe the future is bright,” he concluded.