Soroti Catholic Priest Urges Parents to Take an Active Role in Their Children’s Education

Rev. Fr. Romanus Etwap, Parish Priest at Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish, has urged parents to take a more active role in their children’s education rather than relying solely on government efforts. During a Sunday Mass at the Soroti Cathedral, he highlighted the importance of parental involvement alongside Uganda’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy, which has made primary education accessible to millions.

Introduced in 1997, the UPE initiative has led to a significant rise in school enrollment, increasing from 2.8 million to 8.8 million between 1997 and 2018. However, Rev. Fr. Etwap cautioned against parents neglecting their responsibilities, emphasizing that education requires collaboration among the government, schools, and families.

“Parents should not leave the education of their children entirely to the government. While UPE has opened doors for many, the role of parents in nurturing and guiding their children’s education cannot be overstated,” he stated.

His comments align with President Yoweri Museveni’s recent commitment to providing free education for all Ugandan children by 2026, part of a campaign promise made during the by-elections for NRM’s Herbert Edmund Ariko in Soroti City East. Museveni expressed concerns about the ongoing fees and costs associated with government schools, advocating for a more accessible educational system.

He described these practices as obstacles to learning that hinder many children’s access to education.

However, Rev. Fr. Etwap warned that free education should not lead parents to abandon their responsibilities.

“While the government strives to provide free education for all, it is vital that parents stay actively involved in their children’s academic and moral growth,” he emphasized.

Rev. Fr. Etwap also took this opportunity to offer spiritual guidance to the congregation.

He encouraged the faithful to embrace the word of God, noting that spiritual growth is crucial for experiencing the wonders of God in their lives.

He urged the congregation to steer clear of vices such as bitterness, envy, gossip, lying, and violence, which can disrupt individual peace and damage the community.

Instead, he urged them to foster virtues like generosity, sympathy, and forgiveness.

“There is a need to trust in God in all things, so that you can make choices aligned with His will and avoid being doubted in whatever you do,” said Rev. Fr. Etwap.

Additionally, he specifically addressed the issue of idleness among women, cautioning against excessive television watching.

“Christians are called to be industrious. Women, do not fall into laziness by spending too much time on series. Make sure to use your time wisely,” he advised.