Uganda’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) conclude today, marking the end of a two-day testing period for over 798,000 primary school candidates nationwide.
The exams, which began yesterday, are a key milestone for the students, signifying the completion of seven years of primary education.
Candidates tackled Mathematics, Social Studies, and Religious Education on their first day and are scheduled to finish with Integrated Science and English today, according to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) timetable.
According to Jenipher Kalule, UNEB’s principal public relations officer, out of the 798,771 candidates, 419,357 are female, representing 52.6%, while 47.4% (379,414) are male. Additionally, 66.7% of all candidates are enrolled under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program.
Special needs candidates total 3,295, with support measures in place to accommodate those with visual, auditory, and writing disabilities.
“Special needs candidates have been granted an extra 45 minutes per paper, as well as customized support such as braille answer sheets for the blind and large print papers for those with low vision. Sign language interpreters are available for the deaf, while transcribers are assisting those with writing challenges,” Kalule stated.
In an effort to ensure exam integrity and security, UNEB deployed 13,000 scouts to monitor the examination process across various centers. Additionally, 600 security personnel, including undercover officers, were stationed to deter cheating and handle potential threats.
Kalule emphasized strict warnings against examination malpractice, cautioning candidates, teachers, and the public about potential fraudsters offering fake papers and prohibited materials online. She noted that any involvement in malpractice could lead to severe penalties under the UNEB Act 2021.
“We urge everyone to avoid aiding or engaging in any form of examination malpractice. UNEB is closely monitoring all centers to ensure that the exams are conducted fairly and securely,” Kalule said.
With today’s completion of the exams, candidates now await their results, which will determine their next steps in the educational journey.
