Learners urged to ease parental pressure as VU joins forum

21 May 2025, 1:06 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As term two approaches in various parts of the country, school-going children have been urged not to pressure their parents to provide everything they need for the new school term. This caution was raised by the Director of Mbalala Secondary School in Mukono district, Mr. Yasin Nyanzi, while addressing journalists in Mukono.

It should be noted that learners are officially starting term two on May 26, 2025. Many parents have expressed concerns about how some of their children have been treating them—some students believe it is mandatory to have all the school requirements on the reporting day. However, Mr. Nyanzi sought to clarify this misconception.

“We have been receiving complaints from some parents that their children are putting them under pressure to buy everything the school requires on the very first day,” he said. “I want to urge learners who have been doing this to please stop. We understand that many of them want to report to school with almost all the necessary items, but if your parent is unable to provide everything at once, talk to them and assure them that the school can allow you to start with what is available. For example, in our school, we do not pressure parents, because we, too, are parents and understand how challenging things are these days. We allow our students to begin studying as their parents work on getting the remaining requirements.”

Mr. Nyanzi also spoke about the school’s readiness for term two: “As a school, we are well-prepared to receive our students. During the holiday, we have been organising everything, and as I speak, I am confident that by May 26, we will be ready to begin teaching. I want to thank the Ministry of Education and Sports, together with the National Curriculum Development Centre, for the new curriculum. It is excellent, and I believe that by the time our students complete their education here, they will be able to create their own jobs. This was not the case with the old curriculum, but we are pleased that the new curriculum encourages students to think independently. That is why I appeal to parents who have not yet enrolled their children with us to trust us with their learners. We still have a few vacancies, and our staff is competent and ready to serve our students,” Nyanzi said.

The director expressed his belief that learners under the new curriculum will be better equipped for practical work when they join higher institutions of learning.

In a related development, Victoria University—one of the fastest-growing universities in Uganda—was represented by a delegation led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Muganga, at the UK-Uganda Trade and Business Forum held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in London. Prof. Muganga delivered an impressive address to participants.

According to the University, its presence at the forum is a bold statement of intent. The institution is actively building bridges with parents, education partners, investors, and communities across the UK and Europe.

“We are showcasing a new era of higher education, one that is globally connected, technologically driven, and deeply rooted in real-world outcomes. This forum offers us a platform to strengthen international linkages, foster diaspora engagement, and open doors to collaborative opportunities that benefit our students and academic community,” the university’s statement reads.