Are some boarding schools damaging students’ mental health?

Africa Daily

In Uganda it’s not unusual to send children to boarding school – in a tradition that dates back to colonial times. But now a Professor of Psychiatry, Professor Seggane Musisi, has spoken out against boarding schools – warning he’s seeing more children reporting mental health problems like depression and suicidal thoughts because of overwork and tiredness. Many schools get children up at 4 or 5am to start lessons early – and Professor Musisi says some students report being got out of bed at 2am. Another concern he raises is bullying by both children and staff. So should Uganda take another look at its boarding school system – and the welfare of the children who go through it? Alan Kasujja – himself a boarder from the age of 9 – gets the thoughts of both experts and students.