By Nyanzi Martin Luther
Chairman, Interact Club of Buddo Christian Secondary School
Most secondary schools in Uganda place a strong emphasis on preparing students for examinations. While academic success is important, education should also prepare young people for the responsibilities they will face beyond the classroom. In their communities and workplaces, they will be expected to organise activities, communicate effectively, work with others and make decisions. These are skills that cannot be fully developed through classroom lessons alone. This is why every secondary school should consider establishing an Interact Club.
As chairman of the Interact Club at Buddo Christian Secondary School, I have seen how students can learn through practical activities. Our projects have included purchasing dustbins for the school compound and supporting educational tours. Although these may appear to be small initiatives, they require planning, teamwork, resource mobilisation and accountability.
Students involved in such activities learn that leadership is not simply about holding a title. It is about identifying a problem, working with others to find a solution and ensuring that the task is completed. An Interact Club provides an opportunity for young people to develop these qualities while they are still at school.
Interact Clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs and bring together young people aged 12 to 18 to participate in community service and leadership activities. Members elect their leaders, organise projects and work towards the principle of Service Above Self. Depending on their resources and the needs of their communities, they can participate in environmental conservation, school clean-ups, reading programmes and other initiatives that benefit those around them.
The value of these activities lies not only in the services provided but also in the lessons students learn along the way. A student who helps organise a community project gains experience in planning and cooperation. Another who speaks during a club meeting develops confidence in public speaking. Those responsible for managing resources learn the importance of transparency and accountability.
These experiences can shape how young people approach challenges later in life.
At our school, the headteacher has emphasised the importance of introducing clubs, including debating, to expose students to public speaking. He has observed that some students will eventually become leaders, including members of Parliament, and that preparation for such responsibilities must begin early.
I agree with this view. Leadership does not suddenly emerge when someone completes school or assumes a public office. It develops through practice, experience and the willingness to take responsibility. Students should therefore be given opportunities to lead, express their views and participate in activities that require them to think beyond their personal interests.
Interact Clubs can contribute to this preparation by giving students responsibilities that extend beyond academic work. They also encourage young people to understand that leadership involves service rather than status.
There are several reasons schools should embrace these clubs. First, they provide students with practical opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork skills. Second, they encourage a culture of service by showing young people that they can contribute to their communities even before becoming adults. Third, they give students a platform to develop communication, planning and problem-solving skills that examinations may not adequately assess.
Another advantage is that many club activities can be organised at a modest cost. Schools do not necessarily need large budgets to get students involved in meaningful service projects. With support from the school administration, guidance from a sponsoring Rotary club and the commitment of students, a club can begin with simple activities that respond to local needs.
However, establishing an Interact Club should not be treated as an exercise in creating another name on a school’s list of extracurricular activities. For these clubs to make a difference, students must be allowed to participate actively in decision-making, organise projects and learn from their experiences. Teachers and Rotary sponsors should provide guidance without taking away the students’ opportunity to lead.
I do not suggest that Interact Clubs can solve every challenge facing Uganda’s education system. Rather, they can help address a gap between academic learning and the practical responsibilities students will encounter in life.
Schools should aim to produce more than students who perform well in examinations. They should also nurture responsible citizens who can work with others, identify problems and contribute to solutions.
I therefore urge school administrators and Rotary clubs to work together to establish more Interact Clubs in secondary schools across Uganda. Students should not have to wait until they leave school to learn how to serve their communities or exercise leadership.
If we want responsible leaders tomorrow, we must give young people opportunities to practise leadership and service today.
Nyanzi Martin Luther is a Ugandan media entrepreneur, manufacturer and political activist.
The post Nyanzi Martin Luther: Why Every School Needs an Interact Club appeared first on Watchdog Uganda.