Nabagereka: Cultural education key

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Nabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda has called upon for the inclusion of cultural studies in the education curricula in order to eliminate some of the vices that have made the population unruly.

The Nabagereka says that formal education without character is not as relevant to present-day needs. She cited among others, the need to fight corruption, through the education system.

“We need to teach our children good cultural practices. Kiganda culture has the ethos of ‘obuntu bulamu’ which means kindness, humility, thinking about others and putting them before your own needs. We need that today,”’ she said.

The Nabagereka made the remarks during the fourth Women in Rotary annual dinner held at Kampala Serena Hotel on Saturday Night. The event, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Kampala-Naalya was also a fundraiser for the completion of a modern science and computer laboratory at Akwang Hills Secondary School in Agago district.

The school, the only secondary school in Paimol Sub County is in dire need of a science and computer laboratory, water, pit latrines, school library among other needs. The community, which hosts Akwang Hills Secondary School, is one of those that were devastated by the two-decade-long rebellion by the Lord’s Resistance Army, which severely hit social services in the region.

Former Minister Victoria Ssekitoleko cautioned about the kind of education women are given adding that education should be relevant to the needs of both the society and the economy.

“What importance is learning about who discovered the Nile to a woman today yet it will not help her plant beans or even add value to her produce. Let the government give an education that matters. That will make a difference,” Sekitoleko said.

However, Caroline Musyoka, a board member of East Africa Breweries and Kenya Airways said that while female education is important, educating males is equally as important.

“There are men today who stand in the way of women climbing the ladder. They think women are not supposed to act in a certain way or do certain things. For this to change, we need to change the way we bring up our boys. We need to culture them to be able to live, lead and study with strong women. This way, the men will fight for the women, on behalf of the women. They will give a helping hand,” Musyoka stated.

The Rotary Club of Kampala Naalya equally awarded women for their contributions in transforming society through innovation, leadership and community service. Vivian Kityo, the executive director of Wakisa Ministries received the community service Award for her work, looking after rejected pregnant girls. The leadership Award went to Educationist Ruth Nvumetta Kavuma while Gerry Opoka scooped the innovation award.

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URN