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STIA officer Tiharihondijo Dickens talks to Parents and community members of Kyemamba Seed Secondary School
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Lyantonde
Officials from Science Teaching and Innovations Africa (STIA) and Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF) on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 held a sensitization meeting with parents, teachers, and community leaders of Kyemamba Seed School in Lyakajura Sub-county, Lyantonde District, urging them to play a greater role in protecting children and ensuring school attendance. The meeting, attended by more than 100 parents and local leaders, focused on preventing violence against children, addressing gender-based violence, and encouraging out-of-school children and school dropouts to return to class.
Kyemamba Seed School is among the beneficiaries of the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP) under the Ministry of Education and Sports, and is expected to receive a new Seed Secondary School in the coming months.
The sensitization was led by the Lyantonde District Inspector of Schools, Ms. Birungi Zulaika, accompanied by the District Environment Officer and Social Safeguards focal person. Other leaders present included Parish Reverend Benon Kiviiri, LC1 chairpersons, local councillors, and the school’s head teacher, Mr. Enoch Mulindwa.
Birungi Zulaika District Inspector of Schools in Lyantonde (Right) with the District Environment Officer who also works as Social Safe Guards Officer
“No Child Should Stay Home”
Ms. Zulaika urged parents to take advantage of the upcoming school facilities and enroll all school-aged children, noting that improved accessibility should eliminate excuses for keeping children at home.
“The school is now near. We must ensure no child is left behind,” she said, adding that more teachers will be deployed next financial year to boost staffing at the institution.
Head teacher Mulindwa called on parents to embrace education as a safeguard for children, emphasizing the role of schools in community security. “Imagine if all these children were not in school but roaming the village. What would that mean for our community?” he asked.
Head Teacher Kyemamba Seed Secondary School in Lyantonde Mr Enoch Mulindwa talks to Parents on the need for school and more students
Risks Associated With Construction
With construction of the new Seed School set to attract more than 150 workers to the area, STIA and Luigi officers cautioned parents about heightened risks of early pregnancies, HIV infection, exploitation, and school dropout. STIA officer Dickens Tiharihondijo warned that children, especially girls, could be lured by construction workers, while boys may be tempted to abandon school for quick cash.
“We must remain vigilant. Construction brings opportunities but also risks that could affect our children’s future,” he said. He added that community members themselves could face challenges such as marital conflicts arising from interactions with the workforce.
STIA officer sensitizing parents
Call for Re-enrollment of dropouts
Officials emphasized the need to bring back learners who have dropped out due to early marriage, pregnancy, or financial constraints. Kyemamba Village has long grappled with high dropout rates, particularly among girls, due to pastoral cultural practices.
The government’s establishment of a Seed School in the area is intended to expand access to secondary education and reduce such barriers.
STIA and Luigi Giussani Foundation are implementing sub-component 2.1 of the USEEP project, focusing on the safety and well-being of students in schools, with funding from the World Bank.
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