Bp. Matovu urged the finalists to pray hard instead of lamenting, advising that even in the examination room, they can still pray to the last minute because he noted, God is always ready to answer our prayers regardless of whatever situations we are going through.
The retired bishop of Central Buganda diocese, Jackson Matovu has asked candidates to put their trust in their God who only has the power to enable them pass the exams.
Bp. Matovu said that as they put emphasis on the final revision in their preparations for the final Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) papers that are due in a month, they should as well put themselves in the hands of their God.
“Its only God who can enable you to pass the exams, others trust fetishes and relax knowing everything is done but end up crying foul. Mind you, satan does not want to see you succeeding and smiling, therefore, as you make final preparations, ensure that you ask God for wisdom,” he said.
The bishop gave the advice while officiating at a function where P7, S4 and S6 students of St. John’s Educational Centre and St. John’s Secondary School located in Namuyenje village, Nakisunga sub-county in Mukono district were dedicated to the Lord ahead of their final UNEB examinations starting next month.
Bp. Matovu urged the finalists to pray hard instead of lamenting, advising that even in the examination room, they can still pray to the last minute because he noted, God is always ready to answer our prayers regardless of whatever situations we are going through.
He also discouraged students from visiting certain websites and opening internet applications that are irrelevant to their learning, and advised them to open only sites that make a positive contribution to their search for upright careers.
At the same function, religious student leaders were awarded certificates of appreciation for a job well done, and a new Anglican faith Hymn Book compiled by the school Chaplaincy was commissioned.
“Today, there are many apps available even on hand phones, but many are irrelevant to you as learners and the best you can do now is to ignore those apps, leave them for the targeted people they are designed for and, if necessary, you will access them when you have completed the education process you are undertaking,” Bp. Matovu advised the learners.
He expressed disgust at the rampant indecent clothing modes by youngsters, and pointed out that such attire tends to compromise the respect given to them by the public out there.
The bishop caused momentous laughter when he said, “I sometimes see otherwise smartly dressed young women wearing ill-fitting skirts, and some wearing dresses with one arm which drives me to think that it is the tailor who forgot to fix the second arm.”
Representatives of finalist learners expressed gratitude to the school management for having mentored them well all through from nursery to their present levels, and said that such mentorship has been a reliable tool in the struggle for academic excellence.
The learners knelt down and apologized to their teachers for all the wrongs they committed at school, and implored the teachers to continue praying for them for more success wherever they will go after here.
The Primary Seven teacher who addressed parents on behalf of the primary section, assured them that they have imparted in the learners all it takes for them (learners) to excel, and thanked school management for being compliant whenever teachers asked for logistics for proper execution of the teaching responsibility.
The headteacher of the secondary section, Henry Ssentongo Ssali said that the team work at school among the members of staff, students and parents is one of the factors which have over the years led to their successes.
The school director, Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga acknowledged the two school headteachers, Henry Ssentongo of secondary and Hilda Muyanja of the primary section for their hard work, the efforts which kept the schools flourishing even after the COVID 19 pandemic.
Ssenyonga however showed dismay to the education sector players who are playing bad competition saying due to that factor, they were forced to increase the number of security personnel who are guarding the schools both during day and at night.
“We were previously using seven private security guards but for that effort, we increased the numbers to ten. We also stopped draining water for school use from the swamps because we fear people of bad intentions who could intend to malice us and end up killing innocent souls by poisoning,” he said.
The director also thanked genuine parents who have entrusted the St. John’s schools with their children for years.
“We organized certificates for students who started from Nursery to Primary Seven and those who started from Senior One to Senior Four. Such students, when they come back for Senior One or Senior Five, we also give them a special consideration in terms of school fees,” Ssenyonga said.
