Head teachers disagree with ministry over PLE

By Carol Natukunda

SEVERAL headmasters have opposed the Ministry of Education’s decision not to disclose the best candidates in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations.

In a departure from the past, the minister declined to release the names of the best 10 students in each district, arguing that it encourages unfair competition and cheating.

Whereas some head teachers commend the ministry for the decision, the majority opposed it, saying ‘competition is healthy.’
Hormisidallen Primary School head Gervase Ekoboi

said: “Performance at PLE is one of the indicators of a performing school. Some parents don’t know where to get good schools. When parents compare the results, they make informed choices.”

Ibrahim Haswa of St. Paul’s Primary School argued: “I was not happy. The old system was good, competition is healthy.”

Charles Kaggwa of Seeta Parents’ concurred: “Although competition has its bad side, it encourages children to work hard, which promotes quality.”

However, City Parents’ Martin Isagara believes that some private schools have gone too far in the pursuit of publicity.

“By whatever means, someone wants to appear in newspapers even when they have performed badly. The only thing I regret is that the innocent schools which put in all the effort are not publicised.”

A teacher, who participated in marking the exams, believes complaints from several schools could have forced the ministry to change the policy.

“Those who were not making it among the top felt cheated and hateful. They argued that it was always the same schools excelling. It is better when the ministry decides that we don’t draw comparisons.”