2006 Primary school leavers' results out
Jan 20, 2007
THE Ministry of Education and Sports yesterday released the 2006 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, showing that the performance country-wide improved compared to previous years. Performance improved in all grades, while the failure rate went down from 15.2% in 2005 to 11.8% in 2006.
By Milton Olupot and Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
THE Ministry of Education and Sports yesterday released the 2006 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, showing that the performance country-wide improved compared to previous years.
Performance improved in all grades, while the failure rate went down from 15.2% in 2005 to 11.8% in 2006. A total of 31,971 pupils passed in Division One. This is 6.9% of the total number of candidates, up from 5% in 2005 and 7.5% in 2004. Among those who passed in Division One, 39% were girls and 61% boys.
A total of 435,063 candidates in 10,168 schools all over the country registered for PLE in 2006. Of those, 91% were beneficiaries of the Universal Primary Education, while 9% were from private schools.
In a departure from the past, the minister did not release the names of the best 10 students in each district, arguing that it encourages unfair competition and cheating.
“The board decided that releasing names of the best candidates of each district brought unfair competition and encouraged malpractices. Schools use all means in order to get into the newspapers,†said UNEB executive secretary Matthew Bukenya.
Education minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire pointed out that the poor performance of those who failed was due to low levels of literacy and mathematics.
“Already a curriculum with emphasis on numeracy and literacy has been developed. Its implementation is starting this year with Primary One. This is a curriculum specifically developed to enhance and promote reading, writing and communication skills,†she said.
Statistics indicate that basic science and health education were subjects where pupils performed the best, followed by Social Studies and English. They also show that urban areas are still performing much better than rural areas.
UNEB chairman Prof. Lutalo Bbosa noted that there was no examination leakage last year, but that there were other malpractices, such as external assistance, impersonation, smuggling and substitution in which secondary school students would sit exams for PLE candidates.
As a result, 880 results were cancelled, Bukenya said. He warned that all those involved in the malpractices would face disciplinary action.
Fifty-seven centres were affected in the districts of Rakai, Nakaseke, Sironko, Kabarole, Iganga, Ntungamo, Ssembabule, Pader, Mpigi, Kasese, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Mbale, Kampala, Mityana, Pallisa, Tororo, Apac, Mbarara and Kamwenge.
The minister emphasised that Universal Secondary Education would take off this year, initially covering mainly day schools located in rural areas. “Only candidates whose results are released today will qualify to enrol under the programme.â€
THE Ministry of Education and Sports yesterday released the 2006 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, showing that the performance country-wide improved compared to previous years.
Performance improved in all grades, while the failure rate went down from 15.2% in 2005 to 11.8% in 2006. A total of 31,971 pupils passed in Division One. This is 6.9% of the total number of candidates, up from 5% in 2005 and 7.5% in 2004. Among those who passed in Division One, 39% were girls and 61% boys.
A total of 435,063 candidates in 10,168 schools all over the country registered for PLE in 2006. Of those, 91% were beneficiaries of the Universal Primary Education, while 9% were from private schools.
In a departure from the past, the minister did not release the names of the best 10 students in each district, arguing that it encourages unfair competition and cheating.
“The board decided that releasing names of the best candidates of each district brought unfair competition and encouraged malpractices. Schools use all means in order to get into the newspapers,†said UNEB executive secretary Matthew Bukenya.
Education minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire pointed out that the poor performance of those who failed was due to low levels of literacy and mathematics.
“Already a curriculum with emphasis on numeracy and literacy has been developed. Its implementation is starting this year with Primary One. This is a curriculum specifically developed to enhance and promote reading, writing and communication skills,†she said.
Statistics indicate that basic science and health education were subjects where pupils performed the best, followed by Social Studies and English. They also show that urban areas are still performing much better than rural areas.
UNEB chairman Prof. Lutalo Bbosa noted that there was no examination leakage last year, but that there were other malpractices, such as external assistance, impersonation, smuggling and substitution in which secondary school students would sit exams for PLE candidates.
As a result, 880 results were cancelled, Bukenya said. He warned that all those involved in the malpractices would face disciplinary action.
Fifty-seven centres were affected in the districts of Rakai, Nakaseke, Sironko, Kabarole, Iganga, Ntungamo, Ssembabule, Pader, Mpigi, Kasese, Nakasongola, Nebbi, Mbale, Kampala, Mityana, Pallisa, Tororo, Apac, Mbarara and Kamwenge.
The minister emphasised that Universal Secondary Education would take off this year, initially covering mainly day schools located in rural areas. “Only candidates whose results are released today will qualify to enrol under the programme.â€