The first school term for the 2023 academic year officially opened today.

Ahead of the resumption of schools, parents and even the learners have been grappling with a number of challenges such as high commodity prices and ultimately school dues and the alleged promotion of homosexuality in schools.                                                                                                                      

Church of Uganda Family TV’s John Jimmy Musimbi engaged a number of stakeholders, including educationists, parents and learners on their preparedness and guidance to ably navigate through such challenges.

As the first school term for 2023 opened today, we moved out with my camera person to randomly sample schools in and near Kampala to speak to school administrators on pertinent issues affecting learners. Our first stop was Kisaasi College School where it was evident that the turn up was low.

Some of the students who had made it back to school on day one could not hide their joy.

The head teacher of Kisaasi College School, Ibrahim Sekamate explained that a few of the students had returned on day one because they heeded to government’s guidance on the school fees policy.

On the allegations that the vice of homosexuality was slowly creeping into schools, we asked Sekamate about on his school’s position and how prepared they are to protect students against the vice

We also engaged the learners, on whether they know about the claims of homosexuality in schools and how they intend to fight and stay away from the vice. We were impressed to learn that most knew the religious teaching against the vice.

Parents have warned their children against the vice and stressed the need for children to stay in school and concentrate on their academic work.

Former Kawempe North Member of Parliament Hon. Latif Ssebagala Ssengendo, who is also a school director, called for vigilance on the side of school administrators and learners but also challenged the ministry of education to step up the effort in fighting the vice.

On the issue of hiked school fees which has apparently resulted into some learners failing to report to school on time, Hon. Ssebagala thinks it’s unfair for school owners and administrators to bar students from resuming school due to lack of school fees.