UNEB warns against coaching PLE candidates after briefing
Musamba said the briefing of candidates marked the beginning of the examination period, during which candidates should no longer receive teaching or coaching, whether within or outside school premises
UNEB Principal Public Relations Officer Jennifer Kalule Musamba. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned schools and teachers against coaching Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates after the official briefing that took place on Friday, October 30, saying any institution found violating the directive risks being penalised.
UNEB Principal Public Relations Officer Jennifer Kalule Musamba said the board had received information from whistleblowers about some examination centres planning to conduct coaching sessions after candidates had been briefed.
"Briefing of candidates marked the beginning of the examination period, during which candidates should no longer receive teaching or coaching, whether within or outside school premises," she said while addressing a press conference at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, today (November 2). Musamba warned that the board was monitoring such activities and would take action against those involved.
PLE exams start tomorrow (November 3) and end on Wednesday (November 4). The candidates are expected to begin their examinations with Mathematics on Tuesday morning, followed by Social Studies and Religious Education in the afternoon. They will write their Integrated Science and English exams on Wednesday.
Musamba appealed to candidates to report to their examination centres by 8:30am for morning papers and at 1:30pm for afternoon papers. "Those who arrive late will only be admitted within the first 15 minutes after the start of an examination," she said.
She asked candidates to carefully inspect their question-paper envelopes before they are opened to ensure that they have not been tampered with. "Also, candidates are advised to follow the instructions printed on the front page of each examination paper."
According to Musamba, candidates must write their random school numbers, personal numbers and names in the spaces provided, but should not write the name of their school.
UNEB said candidates should use blue or black ink pens when answering questions, while pencils should only be used for drawings where necessary.
Other prohibited practices include script substitution, being given extra time without authorisation, writing another candidate’s name or number and engaging in improper conduct, including attacking or obstructing examination officials.
Musamba warned that candidates involved in malpractice risk having their results cancelled or being disqualified from the examinations.
The board also warned the public against fraudsters using social media platforms to solicit money from candidates and parents while promising to supply examination questions.
"Such claims are fraudulent and the public should not to fall for individuals pretending to have access to examination papers," Musamba cautioned.
Penalties, number of candidates
Under Section 25(1), (2) and (4) of the UNEB Act, Cap 259, a person convicted of examination malpractice faces a fine of up to sh40m, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
Invigilators and scouts who negligently allow examination malpractices to take place also risk prosecution under Section 26(1)(g) of the Act, which provides for a fine of up to sh20m, imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
UNEB encouraged members of the public to report suspected malpractice through its toll-free line, 0800-211-077. Musamba said whistleblowers would be protected and could receive compensation for information that helps expose examination malpractice.
Of the registered candidates, 484,620 are female (52.7%), while 436,213 are male (47.3%).
Candidates registered under the Universal Primary Education programme account for 576,342 (62.5%), while 344,491 candidates (37.5%) are from private schools.
Special needs candidates
The board said it has made arrangements for 4,655 candidates with special needs, comprising 2,352 boys and 2,303 girls. They will be supported through provisions such as Braille and large-print question papers, sign-language interpretation and transcribers.
The special needs candidates will also receive an additional 45 minutes for each examination paper. UNEB has deployed 1,544 personnel to support candidates with special needs during the examinations.
To strengthen supervision, the board has deployed 162 district monitors and 13,738 scouts, alongside security personnel, to oversee the examination process.
UNEB also confirmed that 11 pupils from Skyland Primary School in Wakiso District, who had not been registered for the examinations, would be allowed to sit their PLE at Kyebando UMEA Primary School.
The school contacted UNEB over the weekend after discovering that the pupils had no examination centre number. The school had believed that the candidates had been registered in Mukono District.
Meanwhile, Musamba said the Uganda Certificate of Education examinations were in their final stages, while the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education candidates are scheduled to receive their briefing on November 6, ahead of their examinations running from November 9 to 26.