Commissioner Hellen Seku addressed the students of Gayaza High School Patriots on Tuesday, announcing the government’s plan to introduce compulsory ideological patriotism training for all Senior Six students starting this year.
According to Seku, Senior Six students, known as Vaccists, will undergo a minimum of three months of training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI).
This directive will be implemented through a circular sent to the Ministry of Education and then to the Resident District Commissioners to coordinate with all relevant stakeholders.
Depending on advice from these stakeholders, the duration of training may be extended to provide vocational skills aimed at promoting wealth creation, with the primary goal of instilling love for the country and one another for enhanced development.
Seku made these remarks during the pass-out ceremony of S3 and S5 students from Gayaza High School who had undergone five days of patriotism training.
She also urged the students to take care of themselves during the holidays, warning them about potential dangers and emphasizing the importance of their patriotism certificates, citing its significance in her own career.
Referring to Article 17(2) of the Constitution, Seku highlighted the duty of all citizens to undergo military training when called upon for the defense of the country.
Headteacher Robinah Kizito expressed concerns about the high cost of patriotism training and called for government intervention to share the financial burden with organizers.
Kizito encouraged students to promote love, respect, and environmental conservation to address climate change issues.
Students shared positive experiences from the patriotism camp, emphasizing the value of physical activities like morning jogs and drills, as well as the lessons learned in persistence, resilience, and self-defense. They pledged loyalty and commitment to their country.
The school thanked Seku for providing experienced staff for training and for supporting the President’s initiative.
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