Kamuli, Uganda: Students of Emirates Academy Kamuli carried out a community clean-up at Kamuli General Hospital, using the outreach to promote improved water, hygiene, and sanitation practices as a frontline defence against disease.
The initiative, conducted Monday, April 13, under the new lower secondary curriculum, is part of efforts to integrate practical community service into education and strengthen learners’ connection to real-life challenges.
School headteacher Dauda Okello said the outreach is designed to make students more relevant to their communities beyond academics.
“Our outreach is both educational and curriculum-based. At Emirates Academy, we teach not only academic content but also community values that enable learners to go back to the people they come from and contribute positively,” Okello said.
He added that such programmes help instill discipline, responsibility, and a sense of service among students.
Kamuli General Hospital Administrator Simon Kiyuba commended the students for their efforts, describing the initiative as a timely contribution to public health promotion.
“You need to be ambassadors in your communities, especially on prevention of diseases,” Kiyuba told the students. “Many illnesses can be prevented through proper hygiene, sanitation, good nutrition, and regular medical check-ups. Always come early, know your health, and stay safe.”
He encouraged the learners to avoid risky behaviours and focus on both academic excellence and responsible living.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Senior Two learner Jazirah Nafula highlighted the importance of giving back to society through such initiatives. “The school teaches us values that encourage us to serve with humility and remain connected to the challenges in our communities,” she said.
Nafula noted that the outreach offered students an opportunity to understand community needs firsthand while contributing to solutions, however small.
The clean-up exercise underscores a growing shift in Uganda’s education system toward experiential learning, where students actively engage in community development initiatives.
Educators say such programmes not only reinforce academic learning but also nurture socially responsible citizens capable of addressing real-world problems.
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