Set 2 PLE exams

SIR— My school of thought sees it fundamental for Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to start setting two different primary leaving examinations: one for urban schools, the other for the rural ones. I arrived at this view after a recent mini survey in the area around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest including some primary schools. I discovered that for two to three weeks of the term, most pupils are busy helping in their gardens like chasing away birds and baboons, among other animals from the gardens. Students spend some school days cleaning classrooms, school compounds, teachers’ houses! When fees defaulters are sent away, those pupils spend home 10 days and above before returning to school. These ill-fated students have never seen a TV, newspaper or even listened to the radio. Lessons start at 9:30am and break off early! Candidate classes start at 7:00am and return home almost at 7:00pm. They go to school six to seven days a week. Is it fair for both sets of pupils to sit the same examinations at the end of the seven years? Ebenezer Bifubyeka, tenbifubyeka@yahoo.com