The Bishop of Mukono Diocese, Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo, has urged parents and education stakeholders to remain committed to supporting children’s education despite growing economic challenges affecting households across the country.
Bishop Kagodo made the call during a diocesan inspection and monitoring tour of Church of Uganda-founded schools in Mukono District, where he assessed academic performance, infrastructure and the general welfare of learners.
The exercise began at Kikubo Church of Uganda Primary School and Katosi Church of Uganda Primary School in Nsanja Parish, Mpumu Archdeaconry.
The bishop commended teachers for their dedication to nurturing learners academically, morally and spiritually, noting that education requires joint efforts from schools, parents, religious institutions and government.
"Parents remain the foundation of every successful school. Regardless of the financial pressures families are facing, we must continue investing in our children's education because they are the future of our communities and our nation," Bishop Kagodo said.
He also encouraged parents to pay greater attention to the nutrition and health of their children, warning that poor feeding and preventable illnesses can negatively affect academic performance.
"Children need proper nutrition, good health, and a supportive learning environment to excel. Parents should also remain vigilant and avoid being misled by individuals whose actions may undermine the welfare and education of our children," he added.
At Kikubo Church of Uganda Primary School, Head Teacher David Magino welcomed the bishop’s visit, describing it as a morale boost for teachers and learners.
Magino highlighted several challenges affecting the school, including political interference in school activities and misconceptions among some community members regarding parental contributions towards school development.
"Some politicians have created the impression that parents should not contribute towards school development, which has affected our progress. We have also faced challenges of vandalism and theft of school property due to inadequate community sensitisation," Magino said.
Despite the challenges, Magino said the school has recorded significant progress since he assumed leadership in 2021. He noted that enrolment has increased from 40 learners to 477, alongside improvements in infrastructure, including the construction of a head teacher’s office.
"We remain committed to transforming this school and instilling strong values in our learners. We are confident that even greater progress will be visible in the coming years," he said.
At Katosi Church of Uganda Primary School, Head Teacher Miriam Mugabi cited several challenges affecting learning and development, including noise pollution caused by the school’s location, inadequate staffing, flooding during rainy seasons, poor sanitation conditions and limited land for expansion.
Mugabi also said declining fishing activities around Lake Victoria have affected household incomes, forcing some families to relocate in search of alternative livelihoods.
"Many parents who depended on fishing have migrated to other areas looking for survival opportunities. This has directly affected school enrolment and the stability of our learning environment," she said.
Teachers urged to upgrade qualifications
The Diocesan Education Secretary, Rev. Seezi Musoke, encouraged teachers to pursue further studies and professional development opportunities, saying academic qualifications will remain important in improving education standards.
He said future government salary enhancement programmes are likely to consider professional competence and academic advancement.
"Teachers should take advantage of every opportunity to upgrade their skills and qualifications because continuous professional development remains essential in improving the quality of education," Rev. Musoke advised.
Bishop Kagodo pledged to engage leaders across the diocese to strengthen community support for schools and reinforce the role of parents in education.
He also appealed to government authorities to develop policies that balance environmental conservation with the livelihoods of fishing communities.
"Fishing communities need sustainable solutions that allow them to earn a living while protecting aquatic resources. Development and conservation should move hand in hand," he said.
The bishop encouraged pupils to remain disciplined, respect their parents and teachers, and focus on their studies.
During the visit, learners from both schools demonstrated their knowledge of Psalms and hymns as part of the diocese’s spiritual formation programme. Bishop Kagodo commended the pupils for their confidence, discipline and commitment to spiritual growth, saying faith-based education continues to play an important role in shaping responsible citizens.