Education Ministry Bans Lavish Prom Parties in Schools, Sets Other Strict Guidelines

Mugimba directed that parties dubbed ‘proms’ during which children dress as freely as they wish and drive posh vehicles to institutions are banned forthwith.

Following over-liberalized operation at schools of all categories and at all levels, especially regarding visitation days, parties, tours, election of student leaders, types of artistes contracted to entertain learners, and others, a tough set of rules and regulations have been issued indiscriminately covering government and private institutions.

The Ministry of Education and Sports says that it has been established that learners’ conduct right from nursery through to university and tertiary institutions are in danger of outright degeneration, spreading indecency, and destruction of the moral fiber when students are allowed uncontrolled freedom regarding entertainment and social life.

A set of 15 dos and don’ts have been issued for strict observance by all institutions at all times, as outlined by the ministry spokesperson, Dr. Dennis Mugimba. Dr. Muyimba said many have gone astray especially regarding entertainment issues, student leaders’ elections especially in tertiary institutions other than universities.

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Artistes using foul language in their compositions and those dressing indecently have been having a field day which has had a negative impact on the upbringing of the children. Mugimba directed that parties dubbed ‘proms’ during which children dress as freely as they wish and drive posh vehicles to institutions are banned forthwith.

Elaborating, he said after a parent has paid the regular tuition fees of say sh1.5m, he is then asked to pay another sh500,000 for the ‘proms’, and sternly warned that any defiant school administrator will be summoned by the Rewards and Sanctions Committee, adding that affected schools will be liable to losing the operating licenses.

However, the chairman of the National Private Education Institutions Association, Hasadu Kirabira conforms with the ban on artistes wearing indecently, but against outright ban on musicians per se, because he argued, music is one of the courses offered in schools.

Below are some of the ministry directives to education institutions;

1. All study trips should be conducted after sanctioning from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the concerned districts.
2. For secondary and higher institutions, such sanction should be provided by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
3. Parents, benefactors and caretakers must give a written permission to schools before taking their children on any outing, and the learners must wear uniforms.
4. Entertainers and other guests to the school should first be censored by the school heads, education authorities in the area and ensure their productions are not morally destructive.
5. Every institution must have an entertainment committee headed by the headteacher, to include the deputy, student leader in charge of entertainment and a representative of the parents.

Vvulugu mu Kulonda Kwa NRM e Mukono, Abadde Ssentebe Ssebaggala Adduse mu Kalulu

1. All entertainment at the school must not go beyond 6:00pm, and there shall be no entertainment at schools during holidays.
2. Bad dress codes including tight clothing, short dresses, see-through wear, have been forthwith banned and any affected school will be prosecuted.
3. Every school shall have a committee to preview entertainment material before being staged.
4. No parent should be made to pay for any extracurricular training like dancing, playing instruments, playing games, unless the training necessitates travelling outside the school premises. However, if the school has a swimming pool, they may ask for an additional fee for swimming classes.
5. Institutions should have an electoral commission to govern student leaders’ elections.
6. Schools in a locality should liaise to have different visitation days to avoid disorganising parents with children in various schools. If a school has a speech day, it should be organised to run on the same day as the visitation.
7. There is no more carrying of food prepared at home, alcoholic drinks even if they are for the parent. A student will not be allowed to receive more than four people on visitation, and organisation of mini parties at schools is prohibited.
8. The school canteen shall not stock alcohol, drugs and cigarettes; nobody will be allowed to use these items within the school premises, and whoever will have used them will be asked to stay out of the school premises.
9. Schools are not allowed to demand money from parents for visiting their children, and no outside catering services will be allowed at the school to ask parents for money.
10. Students travelling abroad for tours should first receive permission from the ministry. At least a teacher and two parents must be part of this tour, and children below 12 years are not allowed on such travels.

The set of directives signed by the PS for the Ministry of Education and Sports Kedrace Turyagyenda indicated that all directives take immediate effect.

Hajji Abdul Kiyimba Bamuwujjizza Akalulu mu NRM e Wakiso N’enkoona N’enywa