KAMPALA – The Senior One selection exercise will be conducted on February 2 –3, 2023 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association – UMA Multipurpose Hall – Kampala ahead of the beginning of term I for the same class – scheduled for 20, Janet Kataha Museveni – the Minister of Education and Sports announced on Friday.
The Senior One term will be at least two weeks shorter than the rest of classes under the ministry’s calendar category – combining pre-primary, primary, secondary, technical and community colleges.
The First Lady announced the dates at the Nakasero State House where she officially released the 2022 Primary Leaving Examination – PLE results to the public.
“Today we celebrate a total of 832,654 candidates who registered for PLE – compared to 749,761 in 2020.
“Despite the disruptions occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Ebola outbreak – especially on the girl child, we continue to register good numbers at this and other levels of education….,”she noted adding: “What is even more gratifying is that of the registered number – 583,768 (70.1%) from 11,306 centres, were Universal Primary Education – UPE beneficiaries; and 248,982 (29.9%) of the candidates were Non UPE.
“These statistics are indicative of the rising confidence the people of Uganda have put in UPE – since the proportion of candidates benefitting from the Universal Primary Education programme has increased by 1.7 per cent.
“So, as UPE marks 25 years this year – it is very heart-warming to know that our people have and continue to benefit from this program.
“We are all grateful to God for the fact that registration for the PLE in 2022, increased by a larger percentage than ever before, despite the fears voiced by many, over the possible massive drop-outs of the learners, due to the circumstances prevailing at the time.
“I am also pleased to note an increase in the registration of candidates with Special Needs from 1,599 in 2020 to 2,436 in 2022, which is an increase of 52.3%; representing the largest rate of increase of children in this category, witnessed in the PLE registration. Of these children, 1,153 (47.3%) are females and 1,283 (52.7%) are males.
“Consequently, I acknowledge with gratitude, the fact that more parents are realising the value of educating the girl child with Special Needs.”
On a sad note she expressed her dissatisfaction on the increasing rate of absenteeism – particularly the learners’ failure to complete their education cycle as well as examination malpractice – noting that in review registered a number of suspected incidences of external assistance of candidates.
“Unfortunately, this includes teaching staff who should be the custodians and role models of integrity and trustworthiness.
“I would like to remind all our teaching staff that these young people look up to you and replicate what you model before them. We must therefore demonstrate utmost discipline when fulfilling our roles and functions. Indeed, this is a universal requirement of humanity and in particular the education profession; furthermore, none of our cultural or religious beliefs condone cheating or dishonesty,” she observed.
Furthermore – the First Lady – cautioned learning institutions to desist the norm of hiking of school fees and charges each term – revealing how the Prof Fredrick Kayanja committee had unearthed a number of issues, which form the basis of on-going discussions at Sector level.
“This week, we sought Cabinet’s guidance on this issue – and all schools should maintain the fees structure for third term of 2022…..we are aware of the high commodity prices that have greatly affected the cost of running schools. But we must also be considerate of the plight of parents and guardians,” she said.
