A message from Runyakitara Dawah Agency as the new academic year opens
By Imam Matsiko Yahaya
As the new academic term unfolds across Uganda, the Runyakitara Dawah Agency wishes to address all stakeholders in the education sector; students, parents, school administrators, and teachers with a message of guidance, wisdom, and shared responsibility. Education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge; it is the foundation upon which we build both our worldly success and our preparation for the Hereafter.
TO OUR DEAR STUDENTS
Dear students, as you return to your classrooms and open your books, we urge you to study with a clear vision. Education is a sacred trust and a powerful tool that shapes your future. Do not study merely to pass examinations or to satisfy others. Study to serve—to serve your family, your community, your nation, and ultimately, your Creator.
Remember that the knowledge you gain today will determine the person you become tomorrow. Whether you aspire to be a doctor healing the sick, a teacher enlightening minds, an engineer building infrastructure, or a leader guiding your people, approach your studies with dedication and sincerity. Let your education be a means to serve both your worldly life and your Hereafter. Strive for excellence not only in academics but also in character, integrity, and faith.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” This knowledge includes both religious and worldly education. Therefore, pursue your studies diligently, but never lose sight of the higher purpose—to use your education to benefit humanity and to please Allah.
TO PARENTS: CHOOSE WISELY, NOT COMPETITIVELY
Dear parents and guardians, we understand the deep love and concern you have for your children’s future. However, we must remind you that choosing a school for your child should be based on wisdom and your financial capacity, not on competition with other families.
It has become increasingly common for parents to enrol their children in expensive schools beyond their means, driven by societal pressure and the desire to keep up with others. This often leads to financial stress, debt, and sometimes the inability to pay school fees on time, which ultimately affects the child’s education and emotional well-being.
We urge you to be realistic and practical. Choose the best school within your financial capacity. A child who attends a modest school with dedicated teachers and supportive parents often succeeds more than one in an expensive institution where the family struggles to meet financial obligations. Your child’s success depends more on your guidance, encouragement, and prayers than on the prestige of the school’s name.
Remember, education is a marathon, not a sprint. It is better to provide consistent, stress-free support throughout your child’s academic journey than to start with grandeur only to falter midway.
To School Administrators and Head Teachers
Dear head teachers and school administrators, we acknowledge the crucial role you play in shaping the educational experience of every child under your care. We also understand that running an educational institution requires financial resources and operational efficiency.
However, we appeal to you to show understanding and leniency towards parents who are genuinely struggling to meet financial obligations. Not every delay in school fees payment is due to negligence; many parents face genuine economic hardships, especially in these challenging times.
Before taking harsh measures such as sending students home or denying them access to examinations, take time to understand each family’s situation. Work with parents to find reasonable payment plans. Remember that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and your compassion today may be the difference between a child who succeeds and one who drops out.
The trust parents place in you when they bring their children to your institution is sacred. Honor that trust by being both firm in maintaining standards and compassionate in addressing genuine difficulties.
TO TEACHERS: YOU ARE SHAPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
Dear teachers, you hold one of the most noble and impactful professions in society. The influence you have on your students extends far beyond the classroom and lasts far beyond the academic year. Long after students have forgotten specific lessons, they will remember how you treated them, how you made them feel, and whether you genuinely cared about their success.
We urge you to give your best to every student. Teach with passion, patience, and dedication. Understand that the young people sitting before you today will be tomorrow’s administrators, politicians, directors, security heads, professionals, and community leaders. The way you treat them now will shape not only their future but the future of our entire nation.
Your students will remember you. They will speak of you on different platforms—either as the bad teacher who discouraged them and made learning miserable, or as the best friend and non-blood parent who believed in them, guided them, and helped them discover their potential.
Some of your students will become honest leaders who serve with integrity; others, if neglected or mistreated, may unfortunately turn to crime, corruption, or destructive paths. You have been entrusted with a sacred responsibility by both the government and parents. How you use that trust will have consequences that ripple through generations.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” While this hadith specifically mentions the Quran, it highlights the noble status of teaching in Islam. As teachers, you are entrusted with nurturing both the minds and characters of the next generation.
Be patient with the struggling student. Encourage the discouraged. Challenge the gifted. Show compassion to all. Your legacy will not be measured by the subjects you taught but by the lives you touched and transformed.
The author is the head of Runyakitara Dawa Agency
