A Global Perspective on the unseen consequences of School prom parties

By Wabusimba Amiri

Uganda, a country where millions of its citizens struggle to earn even $1 a day, faces a stark contrast when it comes to lifestyles. The recent viral video of a child from Elite High School Entebbe being transported in a helicopter for a prom party has brought this issue to the forefront on the necessity and appropriateness of such events in the education system.

The Ministry of Education must now address the growing concern of prom parties in schools, as they threaten to undermine the very foundation of the education system. Prom parties in schools may be a relatively new phenomenon in Uganda, they are virtually non-existent in other countries, even the most developed ones.

In nations where education is considered a fundamental right, the focus remains on providing quality education to all students, regardless of their socio-economic background. The scale and frequency of these events in Uganda are particularly concerning, given the country’s economic context, with some schools going to great lengths to outdo each other in terms of grandeur and extravagance. These events are often characterized by extravagant displays of wealth, including rides, lavish parties, and expensive gifts.

The recent viral video of a student from Elite High School Entebbe being flown in a helicopter for a prom party has brought this issue to the forefront of public discourse and the message they are sending to students and the wider community. 

In many developed countries, schools have strict guidelines and budgets for organizing events, ensuring that they remain within reasonable limits. This is not always the case in Uganda, where the lack of regulation has led to a culture of excess and ostentation. The Ministry of Education in Uganda has a responsibility to ensure that schools are providing a quality education that is accessible to all students, regardless of their socio-economic background. Prom parties, with their emphasis on luxury and extravagance, undermine this goal by perpetuating a culture of inequality and privilege.

Prom parties may seem like harmless fun, but they can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the boundaries of the schoolyard. By promoting social stratification and normalizing excessive wealth and privilege, these events can undermine the goals of education and create a sense of disconnection between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

To maintain the dignity and essence of education systems, it is clear that there is a need for regulation to ensure that prom parties do not become the norm in schools in Uganda and around the world.

The trend of prom parties in Ugandan schools highlights the need for a renewed focus on the core values of education. To address this issue, the Ministry of Education must take steps to regulate school activities, including prom parties. This could involve setting guidelines for such events, ensuring that they remain reasonable and do not compromise the dignity of the education system.

The growing concern is that these events undermine the core values of education, such as equality, discipline, and hard work. Moreover, parents and educators should work together to ensure that school activities align with the core values of education and do not undermine the dignity of the institution. Ultimately, the goal should be to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, without sacrificing the dignity and integrity of the education system. 

Wabusimba Amiri is a Diplomatic Student, Journalist, Communication Specialist and Human Right Activist