As Candidates of Primary Seven nearly to start their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) this week, a record 798,771 candidates, including special needs students, are set to demonstrate their academic achievements, while education authorities urge vigilance against exam malpractice.
A total of 798,771 candidates embark on their final Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) across the country. With exams scheduled for November 6 and 7, candidates will first tackle Mathematics, Social Studies, and Religious Education, followed by Integrated Science and English on the final day.
Jennifer Kalule, spokesperson for the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), confirmed that the candidates will participate in a briefing today to prepare them for the challenges ahead. The demographic breakdown of the candidates reveals that 379,414 (47.4%) are male and 419,357 (52.6%) are female, with 66.7% coming from Universal Primary Education (UPE) backgrounds.
In a notable commitment to inclusivity, UNEB is providing extra support for 3,295 special needs candidates, including 1,677 females. These candidates will receive an additional 45 minutes to complete their exams, along with tailored resources such as braille answer sheets for the visually impaired, large print materials for those with low vision, and sign language interpreters for the deaf. For those with dyslexia or other writing challenges, transcribers will be available.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the examinations, Kalule cautioned against any form of exam malpractice, emphasizing that candidates and teachers must adhere strictly to examination regulations.
She warned against online sharing of materials and possession of electronic versions of exam content, underlining the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
As candidates prepare to showcase their learning, the upcoming PLE serves not only as a critical milestone in their educational journeys but also as a litmus test for the country’s educational standards and values. With a collective effort from educators, parents, and students, the hope is that this examination cycle will uphold the principles of honesty and hard work that underpin Uganda’s education system.
