Published on 04/12/2023
In a bid to transform young minds and reduce the alarming rates of student dropout, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), in collaboration with Kitebi Secondary School, has launched a Smart City Student Dropout Reduction Campaign Workshop.
The event, officiated by Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director of KCCA, opened its doors on December 2nd and is set to run until December 10th, 2023.
The workshop aims to empower students aged 13 to 19 by focusing on the three pillars of Technology, Infrastructure, and People Wellbeing (TIP) – a vision championed by Dorothy Kisaka.
Addressing participants, Kisaka emphasized the pivotal role of students as Smart City ambassadors.
“We can’t have a smart city without people’s wellbeing being at the forefront,” she remarked.
The workshop seeks to equip learners with the skills to thrive in a competitive and dynamic world, fostering boldness, assertiveness, flexibility, and innovation.
With school dropout rates reaching 45% for primary school children and 30% for secondary school children in Uganda, the initiative is timely and vital.
The Smart City holiday camp is divided into two phases, with the first phase focusing on girls from December 4th to December 6th, followed by the second phase for boys from December 6th to December 10th.
Under the theme “The Role of Education as a Vehicle to Mindset Change for Political, Social, and Economic Transformation,” the workshop brings together 350 students from 152 secondary and primary schools.
Haji Kamulegeya Muhammed, the Headmaster of Kitebi SSS, is playing a crucial role as the host headmaster for the event.
The comprehensive program includes expressive arts activities such as public speaking, dancing, drama, singing, reciting Quran, poems, essay writing, debate, and modeling.
Additionally, the workshop addresses critical issues such as mental health awareness, drug abuse, and climate change.
While the primary goal is to shift the mindset of the participants, the workshop also aims to instill values that promote smart living and smart governance.
The students will be equipped not only to navigate the challenges of the modern world but also to contribute to building a smarter and more resilient society.
