RUBIRIZI,UGANDA — The Rubirizi District Education Officer, Mr. Biiru Steven Warufu, has urged parents to stop feeding their children food that lacks proteins, saying it causes poor health, poor performance, and stunted growth.
He said 32% of pupils in Rubirizi District have stunted growth due to poor feeding and nutrition.
Mr. Warufu made the remarks while addressing parents and teachers of Kicwamba High School during a parents’ general meeting held at the school headquarters in Kicwamba Sub-county, Rubirizi District.
He urged parents and schools to always provide protein-rich foods, noting that poor feeding has caused many children to grow up unhealthy and fall sick often. This, he said, has also led to poor performance in class. Some learners, he added, even end up with stress which can lead to theft, suicide and self-hate.
He further noted that the Rubirizi Education Department has started following up schools and homes that neglect feeding children properly. He warned that such parents may be taken to court and charged. He asked parents to ensure their children eat protein-rich foods so they can grow healthy and strong.
According to Mr. Rwamutojo Dagaras, the Rubirizi Assistant Resident District Commissioner and Chief Guest, parents should prioritize education to fight poverty and ignorance by providing all the necessary requirements for their children at school.
“A home that educates its children will develop and escape poverty and ignorance. But a home that neglects education will see poverty and ignorance increase in society,” he said.
Mr. Dagaras condemned parents who refuse to educate their children, saying such parents are the cause of problems in families. He noted that education is an investment in homes and called on parents to work together to educate their children and guide them.
Meanwhile, Mr. Robert Josey Dembe, the Headteacher of Kicwamba High School, said the aim of the meeting was to update parents on school achievements, academic performance, future plans, and students’ welfare.
He thanked parents who turned up in large numbers and urged them not to get tired of educating their children and providing for them. He expressed concern that many students come to school without basic requirements, which leads to poor performance and theft of fellow students’ property in dormitories.
He appealed to parents to monitor their children, teach them religion, give them parental guidance, and instill good morals. He said these are key to raising a healthy and responsible generation in the community.
Story By: Tugume Muzafaru,
Senior Reporter Rubirizi District
