How Safe Are our Children During School Trips?

School trips have, and will always be one of the things to look forward to during our study days. It is a moment to see many things that we had previously just drawn using our imagination.

A photo has been making rounds on social media, of a teacher dressed up in an orange life jacket for safety, seated on the same boat with young children who weren’t. The children look not more than ten years of age, and their chances of surviving drowning is minimal. This has sparked up conversation about how safe our children are, during the various school trips we let them be part of.

Majority of the places that the school trips target are  not very safe. They include National Parks, Rivers, lakes, industries that produce toxins, forest and many others, that expose them to various risks. A teacher is considered a second parent, to be the eyes and ears of the biological ones, while at school, or during any school activities.

Besides the above risks, the roads in this country are not safe, especially the Jinja Highway that leads to majority of the trip places. Please teachers, endeavor that the school bus driver is careful, as he speeds past various cars being driven by furiously.

At the various places, there are risks of children getting lost, moving to places without permission, and or being kidnapped. We have all witnessed situations whereby lost toddlers are being announced on microphones, especially during trade fares and exhibitions.

Is there need for parents to pack extra protective gear for their children, like gumboots, telephones, gloves, glasses and life jackets? Should we close out eyes and believe that our children are completely safe in the hands of the various institutions?

Well, as parents, we have no choice. We entirely entrust out children in the hands of teachers, and we pray that they are as concerned as we are, about them