Hajj Kamulegeya urges parents to choose schools based on their means, not prestige

At a time when the cost of education continues to rise, coupled with social pressure that is increasingly influencing parents’ choice of schools, many families are placing themselves under unnecessary financial strain in an effort to enroll their children in prestigious institutions, noting that every household has different financial circumstances.

Speaking during a Music, Dance and Drama event at Springfield College Kawongo, Hajj Kamulegeya, the Team Leader of Kitebi Secondary School challenged parents to reconsider the tendency to choose schools based on where friends, relatives or neighbours are sending their children.

Hajji Kamulegeya explained that while enrolling children in the same schools as their peers may create a sense of belonging, it can have serious financial consequences, particularly for parents who are already struggling to meet their families’ needs.

He noted that some parents are forced to seek loans every school term to meet tuition and other education-related expenses, eventually turning the cost of education into a significant financial burden for the family.

Hajj Kamulegeya thus cautioned against taking loans or making financial sacrifices simply to enroll a child in a school because of its perceived status.

He encouraged parents to instead consider their financial abilities and the opportunities available to them, while focusing on providing children with the support they need to succeed.

“Some of the schools you despise have produced eligible people and leaders in the world,” he said, drawing from his own experience and journey.

According to him, the reputation or prestige attached to a school should not be used as a measure of a child’s potential or future success. He noted that children can excel and achieve their aspirations regardless of the school they attend, provided they receive the necessary support, guidance and opportunities to develop their abilities.

He said, “While parents naturally want the best for their children, success is shaped by several factors, including discipline, determination, good parenting, access to opportunities and the willingness of learners to make the most of their education.”

His own journey serves as a testament to this. Having attended a school that may not be regarded among the most prestigious today, Hajj Kamulegeya has built a career spanning education, Human Resource management and Advocacy. He has also taken on leadership responsibilities and remains committed to empowering young people and supporting them to realise their potential.

Therefore, parents ought to look beyond the school name and focus on what truly matters: giving children the foundation, support and opportunities they need to become responsible and successful members of society.

“A school does not define the limits of a child’s potential. What matters is what the learner, the parents and the school do with the opportunity.” he concluded.