From the editor: Do not compromise quality for quantity

Jan 20, 2009

The 2008 Primary Leaving Examinations results were released with a worrying decline in performance. The number of pupils who passed in division one reduced by half, compared to 2007. The failure rate is steadily rising; from 13.5% in 2007 to about 20%.

The 2008 Primary Leaving Examinations results were released with a worrying decline in performance. The number of pupils who passed in division one reduced by half, compared to 2007. The failure rate is steadily rising; from 13.5% in 2007 to about 20%.

The Uganda National Board boss, Matthew Bukenya, attributes the decline to low levels of literacy, teacher and pupil absenteeism and late reporting to school.

These are just but symptoms to a bigger challenge. While the introduction of the Universal Primary Education has enabled more children to go to school, the facilities have not expanded to match the demand.

As such, there is pressure on the facilities and also reluctance among teachers given the overwhelming numbers of children who are enrolling for primary education. Eventually, the standards deteriorate further.

But of what use will our graduates be, if they are of bad quality? What will it mean for Uganda, if a graduate enters the labour market and is not able to contribute to the country’s economic development?

Uganda should not compromise quality for quantity. The inspectorate should wake up so that is it seen as biting.

Teachers and headteachers should also be appraised, so that they are accountable.

The Government should devise means to invest more in building more classrooms, recruiting and motivating teachers. The salaries for teachers should be paid so that they are motivated to work harder.

In the private schools, especially, children should not be drilled to pass exams but rather equipped with knowledge and skills to enable them move on. Otherwise, it would be wastage of resources if the best our graduates know is how to recite the alphabet.

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