Turning to candidates, Fr. Mujabi implored them to step up their faith, charity, hope, love God’s command and show love to others so that they may in turn be loved.
Parents have been urged to teach their children their traditions and local cultures including languages, to avoid being copy cats of foreign systems, some of which he noted, are detrimental to African development modes.
The patriotic advice was on Sunday contained in a message by the Assistant parish priest for Kaliiro parish in Lyantonde district, Rev. Fr. Ronald Mujabi, at a dedication mass he sang for 56 P.7 candidates of St. Francis Namiryango Hillside Nursery and Primary School in Goma Division, Mukono Municipality and executed the first holy communion for 52 believers.
He observed that while foreign languages may be a convenient channel of communication in accessing certain requirements, indigenous languages may offer a good starting point for learning foreign languages and ways of life.
Fr. Mujabi implored parents to always offer themselves as their children’s role models and lamps to light their way, rather than ignoring to instill in them Godly ways that demand that they learn African hospitality, courtesy and discipline.
“We should discard the erroneous thinking that the children who are smart enough to internalize unconstructive social media programs are too young to pay attention to priests preaching during mass,” Fr. Mujabi said.
Turning to candidates, Fr. Mujabi implored them to step up their faith, charity, hope, love God’s command and show love to others so that they may in turn be loved.
He also advised the finalists not to relax in prayers after their examinations because he argued, they will continue to need God’s help with or without examinations, and to learn to apologize when they injure anyone’s feelings.
Speaking as guest speaker at the function, the headmaster for Our Lady of Africa Mukono SS Paul Kasumba appealed to the learners to strive for continued education as long as opportunities offer themselves, saying that education is meant to offer them comfortable life styles in adulthood.
He urged the learners to always yearn to study hard and internalize as much as possible, despite the presence of artificial intelligence.
Kasumba noted that modern technology is not meant to offer an alternative to studying for accumulation of natural wisdom.
Earlier, the school Headteacher, Ssemmanja Deogratias hailed the teaching team for persevering to keep and guide the children for the twelve years they have been at the school including the two they stayed at home during the COVID-19 endemic lockdown, noting that this commitment has given the children a good ending.
He appealed to the candidates to continue to be committed and work diligently after school, and strive to be good ambassadors of the school wherever they will work after school time.
The finalist students’ representatives, Jonah Ssemmanja and Nalukwago Sheila recalled the good care, teachers’ attention and love, and commitment which they said has modelled them into reasonable young people, from the irrational care free styles they had on admission to the school a decade ago.
