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Amanya Mushega interacting with Kiruhura RDC George Bakunda (left) and District Education Officer Merab Busingye shortly after their engagement in the district council hall
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Leaders in the Ankole region have called on the government to introduce a mandatory national service policy for all fresh graduates. They argue that a year of national service would instill patriotism and responsibility among young citizens before they enter the workforce.
Stephen Biru, the Rubirizi District Education Officer, is a strong advocate for the policy. He believes it would help develop loyal and incorruptible citizens, ready to serve and protect the state.
“Every citizen should take responsibility for the state, just as the state nurtured them,” Biru said. “When we call for patriotic citizens, the education system should have shaped them to serve their motherland as a way of giving back.”
The leaders made these remarks during the public hearings of the Education Review Commission in the Ankole and Kigezi regions.
The 12-member commission, chaired by Amanya Mushega, visited several districts, including Ntungamo, Rwampara, Rubirizi, Sheema, Kiruhura, and Rukungiri.
Their mission is to assess the education and sports sectors and recommend solutions to ongoing challenges.
Mushega encouraged participants to submit memos with suggestions for improving the education system.
He emphasised that the commission was established by the Ministry of Education to address critical issues in the sector.
In addition to advocating for national service, leaders from various districts raised concerns about the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, which was launched in 1997 to provide free primary education.
David Kisubwa, chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association at Kashwa Primary School, criticized UPE, claiming it has not achieved its intended purpose. "Many parents are abandoning government schools in favor of private institutions, believing they offer better quality education," Kisubwa said.
Benon Muganzi, the Kiruhura District Senior Communications Officer, attributed UPE's shortcomings to poor planning, which has led to persistent challenges in its implementation.
He urged the government to return control of schools to parents and allow them to contribute to the development of these institutions, including paying fees.
This, Muganzi argued, would motivate parents to invest in their children's education and improve performance.
Kiruhura district education leaders also called for reforms in teacher welfare, including addressing early retirements caused by demoralisation, revising the textbook procurement process, and offering refresher courses for teachers.
They stressed the importance of involving teachers in curriculum development and incorporating ICT in primary education to meet modern learning demands.
In Ntungamo district, educationalists highlighted the need for early childhood development centers, noting that the government's lack of support for these centers has left a significant gap in the education system.
“Any mistakes made at this level have lasting effects on society because caregivers are often untrained,” said Giradyse Turigye, a senior school inspector in Ntungamo Municipality.
