By Fred Muzaale
Parents have been urged to give equal attention to the upbringing and empowerment of both boys and girls, with a warning that focusing on one gender at the expense of the other could have negative consequences for families and society.
The call was made by Silver Tindizirarira, Assistant Commissioner for District Inspection at the Ministry of Local Government, while officiating at the inter-house sports competitions at Namilyango College.
Addressing students, parents and school administrators, Tindizirarira said many initiatives currently place greater emphasis on empowering the girl child while paying less attention to the development of boys.
He argued that such an approach risks creating imbalance within families, noting that responsible homes require both men and women who are well prepared for their respective roles.
“When it comes to real life, it is only the girls who are empowered,” he said, questioning what would happen if an empowered woman married an irresponsible man. He noted that such relationships are unlikely to thrive if one partner lacks the necessary life skills and sense of responsibility.
Tindizirarira encouraged parents and schools to teach boys practical life skills, including cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and making handicrafts, saying these abilities enable men to contribute meaningfully to household responsibilities and support their spouses.
He stressed that boys should also be guided to understand their responsibilities from an early age, just as girls are prepared for adulthood.
Speaking on sports, Tindizirarira urged students to take athletics seriously, noting that the perception that sports are only for academically weak learners is outdated.
He said sports have become a viable career path capable of providing employment, financial rewards and opportunities at both national and international levels.
The head teacher of Namilyango College, Constantine Mpuuga Ssajjabbi, said the school places equal emphasis on academic excellence and co-curricular activities to nurture disciplined and well-rounded citizens.
He commended students for their commitment and sportsmanship during the competitions and encouraged them to maintain excellence in all aspects of life.
“I commend you all for putting up an outstanding performance in this competition. You should strive to excel wherever you go,” Mpuuga said.
A total of 12 houses competed in the annual inter-house games. Hanlon House emerged overall champion, followed by Billington in second place, Mukasa in third, Kuipers in fourth and Doyle in fifth.
The winning Hanlon House received a bull as its prize, while Billington House, the first runners-up, was awarded three goats.
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