Vice President Challenges Head teachers on Patriotism!

January 10th 2024

Edgar Musisi, Kyankwanzi

The Vice President of Uganda Retired Major Jessica Alupo has asked Head teachers to always instill a profound love for the country as they execute their duties of imparting knowledge and skills to learners.

According to Alupo, the educators should not only impart academic knowledge but also instill a profound love for Uganda as they nurture the younger generation because education is not about setting exams and reading lengthy text books.

“Education is not just about textbooks and exams. It is about molding responsible citizens who love their country and are committed to its progress”, said Alupo.

The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday while officiating at the launch of the Patriotism Development Course for Western Region head teachers at the National Leadership Institute-NALI.

Organized by the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps, the initiative aims to equip educators with tools to foster a deep sense of patriotism among their students.

The Patriotism Development Course is a comprehensive program designed to provide head teachers with effective strategies for integrating patriotism into the school curriculum.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in interactive sessions, workshops, and discussions led by experts in patriotism education. The goal is to empower head teachers to create an environment fostering national pride and a commitment to community service.

While at the event, Alupo said there is need for educators to embrace their role as catalysts for positive change and emphasized the need for collaboration between schools and communities.

Commissioner Hellen Seku receiving the Vice President at the event

She has also expressed optimism about the course’s impact on shaping the values of Uganda’s future leaders adding that the government remains committed to creating a patriotic and united nation, with education playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision.

Speaking at the same function, the National Secretariat for Patriotism Corps, led by Commissioner Hellen Seku, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, expressed commitment to expanding such initiatives nationwide.

The ambitious Assistant Presidential Advisor on Youth Affairs Seku believes that instilling patriotism from a young age is crucial for building a united and prosperous nation.

Seku who occupied her office a few weeks ago in Kampala added that the Patriotism Development Course at NALI is part of a broader initiative by the Ugandan government to strengthen civic education and national pride.

The training of the head teachers on Patriotism comes barely three months when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni passed out 45,000 students who had undergone training on patriotism at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. While at the Event, Museveni encouraged the students to embrace six loves which were initiated in 2009 targeting school patriotism clubs. The six loves include, Loving East Africa, Loving Africa, Loving the Environment, knowing how human beings have evolved and loving yourself.

Museveni is expected to preside over the graduation of these head teachers come February 3, 2024.