Package for a parent as children return to school
Dickson Tumuramye
Many parents do not have all
the necessary school fees and requirements and there is no hope between now and
the reporting date. We have schools where school
fees have to be paid either in full or
half. The rest they don’t want to know. Senior ones are starting
soon and the requirements may be much yet you have many children
you are struggling with in other classes. Don’t die of much pressure yet
your children have to study. If you don’t have all the
expected resources and you wanted your children in better
schools, cut your coat to the size of the clothe
you have. Take
them to where your pockets are friendly and will allow everyone keep in school
as the family affairs are also running well. Don’t put all the little resources on one
child now and you fail to plan for years ahead for all your children.
Look at the big picture of
having all children attain education for all years without any stopping along
the way because you planned poorly. Be careful not to compete with other
parents and go out of your way to show off at the
expense of sleepless nights and too much expenditure. You are not in the same
lane. Do what is within your means,
take children to affordable schools according to your income.
If you would like to change a
child to a new school, consider taking him/her to a school that is not focused
on academics only and where pressure
is too much. We are not gifted at academics alone. Explore other
co-curricular activities, especially those that can inspire your child's
talents/gifts or promote other things that can transform your child in all
aspects of life.
The issue of homosexuality
and lesbianism or LGBTQ is increasing in our schools. You can no longer tell if
a school is safe or not. Have time to talk about these things with your
children. You should equip them with all the knowledge and awareness about
these vices. Tell them what to do when they are approached. Tell them not be seduced by money and not to die in
silence if forced into the act. Even if it was done by a teacher or prefect and he/she
uses any threats, your child should report to you or one of the school
administrators.
If you fear talking about it
or you are not well equipped with information, get someone else you trust to
counsel your child about what is happening. You should not let your child(ren)
go back to school without preparing them for the trials they will face. If you
visit them at school, ask how the school is doing and how they protect
themselves from things that can endanger their education. Put rules in place
that can keep them safe in their careers. Let them know the consequences when they
get entangled in academic business like leading strikes, getting involved in
relationships and sexual behaviors or any character that can lead to
suspension/expulsion. Life can’t be taken for granted when some parents
struggle to fulfill school requirements.
I also congratulate the P.7
candidates who received their PLE results for 2022. I have heard of many
children who are disappointed with the aggregates they got. The ones I have
interacted with and the parents will tell you that as much as they got first
grades, their expectations were around four to six aggregates. Unfortunately,
they got more than that. There is anxiety that they may not get their first
choice schools. This will soon happen to the Senior Four leavers who exams are
coming in few weeks’ time.
Life can never be straight
forward and not everything will be on a silver platter. I am sure these
children did their best
and that was the outcome. We may have nothing more to change and life has to
continue. I don’t believe you should make your child who for
example had nine aggregates repeat because you both wanted four or five
aggregates. This child may have wanted schools like Kings College Budo, Gayaza
Girls High School, St. Mount Mary's Namagunga Secondary School and the likes
but this may be impossible.
I would like to assure the parent and the child that you
can choose another school that is not first-class and by the end of Senior Four
or six, these children can still go to such schools/institutions of their
interest. All this depends on how parents look at life and the
words of encouragement we give to our children. Life is not a garden of roses
and without ups and downs but we can still thrive and get to where we desire to
be. It is critical to remain focused, hardworking, determined, committed,
hopeful, and place our trust in God. This child needs to know that, with God,
all things are possible, and that they can do all things through Christ who
strengthens them one day.
It is not yet time to give up or feel low at this level
yet we still have many options for other better schools both public and private
that can equally make your child shine at the end of Senior Four or Six.
As parents, have other better options that can help this
child achieve his/her dream. Don’t look at life from one angle
and think that nothing can’t be changed.
Have a positive attitude
towards life. Be a good counselor to your children and the best
promoter of his/her life abilities. Stand to bring the best out of your child always and
don’t only look at the academic performance. Even the
schools that did not perform up to their expectations should know
that there is still a chance this year to shine. Don't give up on your children
and commit them to the giver of wisdom, our God.
The writer is a child
advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor and founder – Men of Purpose Mentorship
program.
#facebook/Dickson Tumuramye
#twitter @Tumudick
#email: tumudickson@gmail.com
#tel: 0772851863/0702851863
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Dickson Tumuramye is also a passionate speaker on:
#Positive parenting
#Marriage and family
#Child counseling
#Career guidance
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