Why you need to check that school before sending your child there

Some schools are known to have fancy adverts which mislead parents into sending children there. Doing a background check could help one to match the advert with actual situation at the school. File photo

What you need to know:

  • Your child deserves to be safe and cared for but also develop both physically and mentally at all times while in school. One way to ensure this is by doing a comprehensive background check on the school before entrusting it with your child, writes Rajab Mukombozi.

There are a number of advertisement activities that schools engage in to attract students which sometimes do not replicate what is on the ground. And a lot of times, some aspects which may impact on your child negatively might be happening at their school behind your back.
Agnes Mweteise, was two years ago convinced to take her daughter to a school in Mbarara. She was largely excited about the school’s performance in that year’s O-Level results that were advertised extensively in the media.

But a year after, the school’s performance was different and a parent had raised the issue on how the administration always advertises wrong results to dupe them about the performance.
“We were surprised when one of us armed with results from the newspaper cuttings found that they were not similar to those of Uganda National Examinations Board. The one advertised in the newspaper showed they had 10 students in Division One while those of UNEB showed that the school had got none,” said Mweteise who withdrew her daughter immediately.

Milton Batekateka, a retired primary school teacher, blames the liberalisation policy in education and inadequate inspection, saying education officers should be keen on whatever material schools advertise in media.
Mbarara district education officer, Gabriel Ahimbisibwe, warned that schools which dupe parents risk being de-registered and administrators arrested.
“Any school found to be engaging in this practice will be de-registered. It is a very bad and dangerous strategy of attracting students,” says Ahimbisibwe.

Low school charges
Some schools charge rather very low school fees but are these commensurate to the services or what a student or pupil needs for his career development and social welfare?
Laban Kanywa, the chairperson Federation of Non State Institutions in Western Uganda, says parents should interest themselves in schools that charge very low school fees especially on how they go about the costs of running these schools.

“Those charging very low fees are only interested in the numbers but not in the standard of education. It is these schools where teachers are not paid or are unprofessional or starve students,” says Kanywa.
Every TV, radio station and newspapers at the beginning of the school’s term are awash with advertisements of schools.
Adverts such as ‘we have professional staff, science laboratory, well-stocked library, swimming pool, and balanced diet’, among others are common but as a parent do you take a step further to investigate whether these actually exist?

Andrew Kankiriho noted that the commercialisation of education has driven schools to employ all tricks to attract students.
“One of the schools here in Mbarara even duped the President. It claims to teach science and technology but when the President was going to visit the school, they hired old computers, welding and fabrication machines, sewing machines and forged a workshop, imagine,” said Kankiriho.
He challenges parents to always do ground check on schools before enrolling children but added that even after they enrol, parents should always check on the capacity of the school to meet their expectations.

Emotional violence
Unlike other forms of violence, emotional violence does not leave physical scars but wounds the heart which lowers one’s esteem, dignity, and self-worth. It includes constant belittling, shaming, humiliating, negative comparisons, and frequent yelling and bullying.
Nathan Mugume, the head teacher Mbarara Junior School, admits this kind of violence exists in schools and it has very disastrous effects even to a nation; such as having a violent nation.
“If a teacher is violent, abusive to pupils they may grow up to have violent and abusive families. As teachers we should guide, counsel, discuss and show empathy to pupils because we can either kill or build their future,” says Mugume.
He says parents need to always interest themselves in checking their children’s behaviour but also monitor the behaviour of school managers and staff towards the pupils.

Third parties
Due to commercialisation of education, competition has forced schools to hire private brokers and agents who comb areas looking for students while spreading the ‘excellence’ gospel of the schools.
Unsuspecting parents easily get convinced by these brokers, forgetting that these are only interested in getting paid and whatever happens after is none of their business.
“During our days, competition was driven by performance but now it is about the numbers you can attract just for economic gain. Why do you employ brokers if your school is sending pupils to first class institutions with good courses?” Esau Muhangi, a retired secondary school teacher, asks.
This is where the trouble lies. Pupils are in schools not just to learn but also make business for the proprietor.

In case you check...
Security. The general security at the school and in the neighbourhood should be safe.
Care. Some teachers do not have proper handling of students even when they are disciplining them.
Ability to teach. This is not just about having professional teachers but those who are able to teach.
Hygiene. Are the toilets, latrine, kitchen, dining area and classrooms in good condition?

Behaviour. The behaviour of students in a given school can give you a picture of whether it is a good school or not.
Plans. Ask about the future plans of the school, especially if the school is new or just building up momentum.
Performance. Consider student performance, not just in P7, S4 or S6, but the other classes too.
Games. Ensure that the school pays attention and develops learners through co-curricular activities.