Student Leaders in Arua City Trained in Leadership Skills to Promote School Discipline
Student Leaders from various secondary schools in Arua City attending the capacity building training in Arua.
ARUA CITY: Student leaders from secondary schools across Arua City underwent a mentorship program aimed at equipping them with leadership skills to foster discipline and responsibility among their peers.
The training, organized by the Greater West Nile Youth Forum on Saturday, focused on essential skills such as effective communication, decision-making, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
These skills are vital for guiding peers and maintaining discipline in schools.
Winfred Gala, the facilitator of the capacity-building session, highlighted the critical role student leaders play in shaping behavior and academic focus.
“Recent school strikes have affected parents and institutions alike. We organized this training to address these challenges by empowering student leaders with communication and conflict management skills to improve discipline across schools in the region,” Gala explained.
The session, attended by representatives from four partner schools, covered leadership principles, team building, and stress management to help student leaders prevent violence and disruptive behaviors that impact school performance.
Student participants expressed gratitude for the training, noting its potential to address behavioral challenges and create a better learning environment.
Phillip Losuk Wani, a student leader from St. Joseph’s College Ombaci, pointed out that external influences often contribute to student indiscipline.
“When students go out for activities like sports in Barifa, community members sometimes provoke them, boosting their morale in negative ways. They reference past incidents, encouraging disruptive behavior. However, today’s training emphasized relatability and positive influence. When you connect with students and listen to their views, they are more likely to respect and follow your guidance,” Phillip said.
Mercy Fetaru, a student leader from St. Mary’s Ediofe Girls Secondary School, committed to applying the skills learned to enhance discipline.
“We’ve been implementing various strategies, but this training has shown us how to communicate effectively and guide students on appropriate behavior at the right time,” she said.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by education stakeholders in the region to empower youth and nurture responsible future leaders amid growing concerns over school unrest.
Organizers urged schools to continue supporting such forums to enhance student participation in governance, improve academic performance, and promote social cohesion.