'Patriotism Should Begin With' -Teachers Urged.

Teachers have been called upon to be ambassadors of change in their respective schools through instilling patriotic core values into learners if the country is to develop a generation with a sense of responsibility towards their homeland.

This is because fostering patriotism among the younger generation is currently in the education system and it contributes to the full development of individuals who are ready to contribute to their society.

" You have alot of impact on the lives of students and in so doing,you are making this nation but while doing your work,do it with a patriotic heart and be agents of change because it starts with me and you," "Teachers should tame us to be what you want us to be. And you also have a slogan which goes that because you are so the nation is.

This means that when you fail a teacher, you will find us on streets,"Seku said.

The call was made by the Commissioner of National Secretariat for Patriotsim Corps (NSPC) Hellen Seku during a stakeholders meeting that was held at Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo where she was the Chief guest. Seku also encouraged the teachers to reflect on the relationships they have with learners for they contribute alot on what the future holds up for them.

 "As a teacher when you are teaching these students,try to reflect on your relationship with them,do you love them,how often do you encourage them to work hard and always advise them to consult where they have not understood," " As teachers you should be parents and patriotic to students because when you are a mother or a father at home,you have to treat your children equally and avoid diverting them into evil acts." She added.

 She further encouraged all the stakeholders to embrace preaching the gospel of appreciating and cherishing our natural endowments. She said that it is the role of patriots to jealousy protect and conserve all the sorrounding resources through tree planting.

 "As patriots,we recognize the important role forests play in the eco system, therefore it is our duty to ensure that the forest cover is not only protected but increased for sustainable development," " After this workshop,I expect you to go back to your different schools and encourage students to plant trees especially fruit trees and by doing so,those same trees will provide shade,they will earn a living after selling fruits but also it is a way of teaching students to be hard working.

"She added Nabboth Kagoro the Residents District Commissioner ( RDC) Kira Municipality said that all the indiscipline cases which are deeply rooted in some schools has been due to lack of patriotism lessons and discipline. " When students are patriotic,we shall not have strikes and other related indiscipline cases anymore in schools because our students will learn how to love themselves,schools, families, communities where they stay, their country and East Africa at large," " Teachers play a big role by imparting morals into students,and I believe they are going to share the same patriotism knowledge they have got from the workshop with the students."Kagoro emphasized.

The headteacher of the host school Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo Father Henry Kasasa applauded NSPC for choosing his school to be the host of such an important ceremony. " I would like to thank the Secretariat for picking us as the hosts and we want to let you know that everytime you have such an event our doors are always open.He thanked the Commissioner for spreading the gospel of patriotism in schools and communities believing that once the students have a right ideology, we shall have a better Uganda." said Kasasa.

 The meeting that was conducted by NSPC after two days of intense on spot evaluation and monitoring of schools from Wakiso A was attended byheadteachers,deputies,teachers,patrons of patriotism from various schools as well as Kasangati RDC Frank Kyazze, Kira Municipality RDC Nabboth Kagoro among other dignitaries. For starters,Patriotism program in schools was initiated by President Museveni in 2009 with the intention of nurturing responsible citizens and a new generation with a positive attitude towards their country to themselves and families.

The President who is also the chief patron of all patriotism clubs in the whole country believes that for Uganda to be able to achieve it's aspirations as stated in the Vision 2040, it's citizens need to have a right mindset towards work, improving our competitiveness and have a collective participation