By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
President Museveni is having joyful moments towards pioneer children of the UPE program whom he says are now contributing tremendously to the development of the country.
He says many of the beneficiaries of this program which was started by his government in 1997 are now highly productive youth involved in various fields taking Uganda forward.
The Head of State in his speech delivered by Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo at the inaugural celebrations to mark the International Day of Education at Kololo ceremonial grounds today, 21st March, 2024, said NRM Government invested in UPE to ensure children of school going age are enabled to go to school, gain literacy skills and be productive citizens of this country.
He said his government has placed human capital development at the forefront of its development agenda and that, education is prioritized as a public good.
Museveni said education is a critical ingredient that
facilitates all other development efforts including in the areas of health, gender equality, resources protection among others.
“We need education to improve
health and reduce inequalities in society. We need education to
achieve gender equality and eliminate cultural barriers. We need education to protect our resources and promote growth and development. And we need education to nurture global citizenship” the president through soft-spoken Alupo who is also Katakwi district woman MP said.
Museveni said government has
continued to create an enabling environment in which its citizens can invest and earn a living.
He noted that as the country marked this important day, Ugandans ought to remember that UPE program has enabled more children to enter the schooling system and also remain there.
“Those who fall out of school
now do so for other reasons that government is also addressing, but
not school fees,” he noted adding that this position is being strengthened further by the new
strategy of Compulsory UPE and Universal Secondary Education (USE).
The First citizen also reminded Ugandans that the program has helped address gender parity in primary schools with more girls now accessing school unlike those days when it was a preserve for only boys.
Museveni raised his thumb up towards the direct beneficiaries of UPE, saying as a country, it looks up to them to take charge of the future of Uganda.
“Government has empowered you
to contribute to its development and we look forward to a patriotic
and reliable cohort of a population that cherishes peace and
tolerance,” he said and urged them to interest others in the same program.
“You will not preach peace to a frustrated illiterate and expect
peace. Let us embrace education for lasting peace,” he counseled.
He thanked the Ministry of Education and Sports for enabling the country join the rest of the world to recognize a special day dedicated to education the
world over.
The function was attended by diplomats, ministers and above all, several pupils from various schools.
