Positive Parenting

  By Dickson Tumuramye As Uganda celebrated 64 years of independence on October 9, I found myself thinking about independence beyond politics. What does it mean to be independent? What does it mean for a young adult who has a job, earns a salary, and still depends on their parents for almost everything? This is a reality in many Ugandan homes. A son or daughter graduates, secures employment, and starts earning. Yet, at the end of the month, the parents are still paying for food, electricity, water, and other necessities.  There is nothing wrong with adult children living with their parents. With the cost of rent and other expenses, staying at home can be a wise decision. The concern is when an arrangement that should benefit both sides becomes a burden on one. Who pays for what? Consider a young man earning a monthly salary while his parents continue meeting all his basic needs. He spends his money as he wishes, perhaps buying the latest phone or going out with frien...

  By Dickson Tumuramye Across the country, schools are holding dedication and thanksgiving services for candidates preparing for their final examinations. In churches and school compounds, parents, teachers and religious leaders gather to pray for candidates in Primary Seven, Senior Four and Senior Six. These occasions are important. They allow families and schools to thank God for bringing their children this far and to seek guidance and strength for the examination season ahead. But as the prayers end, the children return to their books, and start their exams, there is a question every parent should ask: What does my child need from me now? The answer may be more than another reminder to revise. For many candidates, examinations are already a source of anxiety. They know that their results matter. They hear adults discussing grades, school choices and future careers. Some have also been told, directly or indirectly, that their performance will determine whether their parent...

  By Dickson Tumuramye Every examination season, parents entrust schools with a responsibility that goes beyond helping children pass examinations. We expect schools to equip learners with knowledge, skills, and values that will prepare them for life. Yet this trust is betrayed when teachers or school administrators deliberately facilitate examination malpractice to secure impressive results. In Uganda, where examination results can influence a child's next educational opportunity, the temptation to secure high grades can be considerable. We have seen UNEB withholding results for some schools because of examination malpractice. However, when schools choose dishonesty, children often become the biggest losers. When Good Grades Hide a Problem A school may celebrate excellent results, attract new admissions, and earn praise from parents. But what happens when those results do not reflect what the learners actually know? A child who advances without mastering essential skills m...