Oyam, Uganda – Parents have been urged to avoid giving their children undue privileges and freedom during the upcoming two-month-long holidays to curb growing concerns of indiscipline and school dropouts.
Beatrice Akullu, the Officer in Charge of the Child and Family Protection Unit at Oyam Central Police, delivered this caution during the 11th graduation ceremony for top-class pupils at Marioshoni Primary School in Oyam Town Council on Monday 2nd December 2024.
Akullu addressed parents, pupils, teachers, religious leaders, and local politicians gathered at the event, emphasizing that over-praising children based on their academic achievements could lead to unintended negative consequences.
“Many parents in the Lango region mistakenly give excessive freedom to their children who have completed significant academic milestones, such as primary or secondary final exams.
This often makes them feel overly special, creating a false sense of entitlement,” Akullu said. “Such actions not only foster indiscipline but also cause some children to drop out of school or adopt undesirable behaviours in the community.”
Akullu highlighted examples where children with newly gained independence misuse resources or develop habits that disrupt family and school life.
She warned that by allowing children too much autonomy, parents inadvertently undermine the values of discipline, respect, and responsibility.
This growing trend, she explained, is exacerbating challenges for teachers, who must handle students unaccustomed to structure after experiencing unrestricted freedom at home.
Supporting Akullu’s remarks, Mr. Okello Steven Marioshoni, the proprietor of Marioshoni Primary School and Captain Otia Memorial Primary School, condemned the practice of “over-powering” children during the holidays.
“Parents spend a lot on their children’s education, yet many of these children return to school lazy and unmanageable because of the freedoms allowed at home. This has made handling them a burden to schools,” said Okello, who also serves as Mayor of Oyam Town Council.
He called on parents to instil discipline and responsibility in their children, ensuring that the values of hard work taught at school are reinforced at home.
The leaders appealed to parents to monitor their children’s behaviour closely during the holidays, reminding them that education is not just about academics but also about shaping character.
They advised parents to strike a balance by acknowledging their children’s achievements while maintaining firm boundaries and promoting accountability.
“Let us nurture a generation that values respect and hard work,” Akullu urged. “Together, we can ensure that our children become responsible citizens who uphold the integrity of their families and communities.”
As Uganda enters the holiday season, the message from Oyam’s education and child protection stakeholders is clear: responsible parenting is essential in fostering disciplined and community-minded children.
