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A majority, 524,690 (66.7%), are Universal Primary Education (UPE) candidates (Courtesy Photo)
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By Our Reporter
A total of 798,771 candidates will start their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) on Wednesday, November 6 at centers across the country, marking the completion of their seven-year primary education journey. Candidates, who were briefed on Monday, will begin with Mathematics, Social Studies, and Religious Education today. The exams conclude on Thursday with Integrated Science and English.
Statistics
According to Jennifer Kalule, Principal Public Relations Officer of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), out of the 798,771 candidates, 379,414 (47.4%) are male, while 419,357 are female. A majority, 524,690 (66.7%), are Universal Primary Education (UPE) candidates.
Special needs candidates
Of the total, 3,295 candidates have special needs, with 1,677 being female. UNEB has arranged for an extra 45 minutes for these candidates to complete their exams. Necessary accommodations include braille answer sheets for blind students, large print papers for those with low vision, and sign language interpreters for the deaf. Candidates with dyslexia or writing challenges will also have transcribers available.
Warning against malpractice
Kalule cautioned learners, teachers, and the public against any form of exam malpractice, including online sharing or possession of unauthorized exam materials. UNEB has implemented strict monitoring measures across all centers to prevent cheating, and severe penalties under the UNEB Act 2021 await those caught aiding malpractice.
“We strongly warn against any form of examination malpractice. Those caught will face severe penalties under the UNEB Act 2021,” she said.
Four arrested
Kalule also mentioned recent arrests where four teachers were detained for possessing unauthorized PLE exam papers. The suspects were arrested on Friday and accused of distributing exam materials via social media platforms WhatsApp and Telegram. The teachers, who reportedly confessed, were identified as Vincent Muheki (Ibanda Vision Primary School), Albert Babeeko (The Stoneridge School, Kira municipality), Hosea Toyek (Kigina Dignity Primary School, Rukungiri), and Kevin Bakashaba (Kimongole Junior School, Kikagati, Isingiro).
13,000 scouts deployed
In response, UNEB has deployed 13,000 scouts and 600 security personnel, including undercover officers, to monitor the exams. Kalule emphasized that any form of exam fraud, including sharing or possessing electronic versions of exam materials, is a serious offense under the UNEB Act, CAP 259. UNEB has provided toll-free lines (0800211077 and 0800111427) for reporting suspected malpractice.
Torch Media Africa
