Being proud of your school

Every school has its own motto which is used to motivate pupils to work hard when they are at school and after they leave school. Such a motto is usually in the form of a short meaningful message intended to motivate pupils to work hard in order to achieve the school's vision. The motto also motivates teachers and the community at large to work hard so as to achieve the goals of a given school.

The motto of a given school is usually written on the school's emblem or put on a signboard. In addition, the motto is normally part of the school song and, in some schools, pupils use it before greeting elders and teachers as well as before they ask questions during school meetings.

Examples of school mottos are:

1. Education is the Key to Life,
2. Education is the Light,
3. Education is our Children's Inheritance,
4. Education is Work,
5. Wisdom is Freedom, and
6. Effort and Discipline.

The school motto is important for motivating pupils to work hard and make an effort to learn something so as to develop the required knowledge, skills and attitude. This motivation helps them to achieve the school's academic and disciplinary goals.

The song of a given school is used to introduce the school. Every school should have its own song. The song is sung on days selected by the school.

It is often sung together with the National Anthem, Tanzania Nakupenda and Tazama Ramani.

The song of a given school motivates pupils to:

1. Study hard in order to achieve their personal and national goals;
2. Care for the school environment;
3. Participate in sports and games;
4. Show good behaviour;
5. Be loyal to your school and the nation; and
6. Remember their responsibilities of loving and protecting their school and national resources

The things that can promote and bring pride to a school include:

1. Pupil's discipline: A school with disciplined pupils is well known. Parents often prefer to enrol their children on a school with disciplined and respectful pupils;
2. Good academic performance: Parents prefer to enrol their children on a school whose pupils excel academically;
3. Good, clean and safe environment: A good, clean and safe environment promotes a school. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your school has a good, clean and safe environment for learning;
4. Excelling in extra-curricular activities: Good performance in extra-curricular activities promotes a school. A school that does well in football, netball, swimming, athletics and self-reliance activities attracts the attention of the public; and
5. Pupils' general appearance: Pupils' general appearance, for example dressing smartly and neatly, promotes a school.