From the principal, school was started in 1926 by a Scottish missionary Lieutenant-Commander Ernest William Eborhard Calwell. The missionary wanted the whole of the Buganda Kingdom to copy the Scottish culture, but the king refused, forcing him to flee the place. He was welcomed in Nyakasura where he opened a school and influenced the people to practise Scottish culture. "The attire builds confidence in boys hence brings out strong leaders; therefore, it has a unique identity," the principal said to Rwanda-based publisher Afrimax English. Origin of kilts The principal defended the uniform by saying that it is not a skirt like other people called it, claiming that it is called kilts and it is a traditional attire worn by men in Scottish Highlands. Kilt form the only national costume in the British Isles that is worn for ordinary purposes, rather than merely for a special occasion. The highland dress is also the uniform of Scottish regiments in the British army, and kilts have been worn in battle, even the World War II. He said that the students love their uniforms so much because it makes them unique despite being mocked by the community. Nyakasura is a mixed school, so someone who goes there for the first time would find it hard to differentiate between boys and girls. "Every student considers the kilt a normal attire, and nothing is funny anymore. The uniform collection includes; a kilt, belt, knee-socks and a cuff known as a kilt hose. In addition, the boys wear a red cloth on their legs known as the leg warmers," he said. Boys also have small bags at the front of their kilts, used for carrying essentials like pens and handkerchiefs. Male students not ashamed The students indicated that the kilt is part of the school culture, and they are comfortable with it.The boys indicated that they are always insulted and criticised by students from other schools for wearing girls' uniform, but to them, there is nothing wrong with the attire. "Some people say that it is a shame to wear a skirt, but this is not a skirt and I also don't have a problem with it because I have been wearing it for four years now," one of the students said. Apart from standing out among other schools with their dressing, Nyakasura is also known for performing well in national examinations, and it has several trophies in co- curricula activities. Tanzanian parents decry high cost of uniforms In a separate story, it was reported that parents appealed to the government to intervene over the high cost of uniforms as schools prepare to reopen. They accused school heads of colluding with tailors and uniform outlets to make a profit during the rush to buy uniforms.
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