PLE marred by missing questions
Nov 03, 2008
THE onset of Primary Living Examinations (PLE) was yesterday marred by partially blank question papers in Bugiri district. According to the Bugiri district inspector of schools, the social studies (SST) question papers delivered to some schools had missing sections.
By Vision Reporters
THE onset of Primary Living Examinations (PLE) was yesterday marred by partially blank question papers in Bugiri district. According to the Bugiri district inspector of schools, the social studies (SST) question papers delivered to some schools had missing sections.
“The numbers on page 10 and 15 were missing on some of the question papers,†Kawo Kawere Nayi, the Bugiri inspector of schools explained adding that between 20 and 25% of the schools in the district could have been affected.
Bugiri has 95 PLE centres with about 187 schools in the district. “The invigilators had to write the questions on the chalkboard,†said Kawere Nayi.
He further explained that one examination centre had a shortage of question papers. “There was a packing error and one centre received 20 question papers instead of 46,†he revealed. The deficit was sorted out by getting more question papers from other neigbouring schools.
Kawere however told the New Vision that the there was no problem experienced with the afternoon exam.
Kawere urged the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to avoid similar mistakes in future saying that delayed examinations always have a psychological effect on candidates that could affect academic performance.
He also called for deployed trained scouts whom he said should be able to handle emergencies.
In other parts of the country, as some pupils were halfway their morning (SST) paper, others were thinking of starting as education officials failed to deliver exam papers in time.
In Kampala, City Parents and the Mengo-based Lubiri Nabagereka Primary School were among those that had not started 40 minutes after the standard time set for the entire country.
“We have delayed to start. We received the exams late and I am still wondering why!†Christopher Kalyesubula, the head teacher of Lubiri Nabagerka Primary School exclaimed.
The school, which was supposed to start exams at exactly 9:00am as others across the country, began at 10:00am. At City Parents’ Primary school, the 220 pupils were delayed by half an hour.
Like in Kampala, many centres in Kibaale district reported delayed examinations due to administrative issues.
Candidates of Ruswiga and Kibanga primary schools trekked three miles to Muhorro Muslim primary school centre where they registered from, causing the delay of over one and half hours.
The Kibaale district inspector of schools, Patrick Munyole, attributed the chaos to poor communication between the district and the affected schools.
Other sources blamed UNEB for making sudden changes, including creating new centres, even when exams were approaching.
In Kitgum, Police arrested a primary six pupil aged 14 (names withheld) for impersonating a candidate who had earlier paid him for the service. The impostor was detected by a scout who later called in the police.
The District Police Commander Kitgum, Charles Oumo said the boy who in the morning successfully did the SST paper, was nabbed in the afternoon as he wrote the English exam at Padwong Primary school.
In Kalangala district, over 50 candidates from Mazinga Island, Kyamuswa County were on Sunday ferried by canoe to the examination centre on Bukasa Islands.
“We have a total of 84 islands but with a few examination centres. We usually provide life jackets to candidates whom we ferry to various centers in good time,†the Kalangala District Chief Administrative Officer Hope Nakyanzi said.
The UNEB spokesperson, Eva Konde, attributed the delays to deliver exams to some schools to traffic jam in the city and rain, which she claimed, showered most upcountry districts in the morning.
“There are few distributors. One person might be distributing papers to about 10 or 20 schools. Definitely if there is traffic jam, such a person has to delay,†said Konde. She however argued that she was not aware of the problem of mission questions in Bugiri.
The PLE that started yesterday concludes today with Maths and Science. UNEB has deployed about 7,000 scouts and Police detectives to monitor the exams.
“We (Police) are working closely with UNEB to guard against any examinations malpractices especially cheating. So far, we have recorded no case,†said Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba.
UNEB said 486,312 pupils are sitting PLE this year, compared to 435,000 last year.
Aisha Nabukeera, the girl whose step mother allegedly burnt in 2006, was among City Parent’s candidates.
“I am happy that I have sat my lat primary exams. I thank God for my life,†the girl, who until recently wept due to pain, said after her first exam. Like her head teacher Martin Isagala, Nabukeera is optimistic she will scoop a first grade.
“I want to join St. Lawrence for secondary education senior next year. I want to become a doctor,†Nabukeera added, as she dashed to pick a cup of tea before the next exam. After SST, the pupils sat for English yesterday afternoon.
The exams end today (Tuesday) with Mathematics at 9:00am and Basic Sciences and Health Education in the afternoon.
Mathew Bukenya, the UNEB executive secretary, on Saturday said head teachers should not stop candidates who had not cleared their school fees from sitting the examinations.
Compiled by Francis Kagolo, Moses Bikala, Ismail Kasooha, Justin Moro and Dismus Buregeya
THE onset of Primary Living Examinations (PLE) was yesterday marred by partially blank question papers in Bugiri district. According to the Bugiri district inspector of schools, the social studies (SST) question papers delivered to some schools had missing sections.
“The numbers on page 10 and 15 were missing on some of the question papers,†Kawo Kawere Nayi, the Bugiri inspector of schools explained adding that between 20 and 25% of the schools in the district could have been affected.
Bugiri has 95 PLE centres with about 187 schools in the district. “The invigilators had to write the questions on the chalkboard,†said Kawere Nayi.
He further explained that one examination centre had a shortage of question papers. “There was a packing error and one centre received 20 question papers instead of 46,†he revealed. The deficit was sorted out by getting more question papers from other neigbouring schools.
Kawere however told the New Vision that the there was no problem experienced with the afternoon exam.
Kawere urged the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to avoid similar mistakes in future saying that delayed examinations always have a psychological effect on candidates that could affect academic performance.
He also called for deployed trained scouts whom he said should be able to handle emergencies.
In other parts of the country, as some pupils were halfway their morning (SST) paper, others were thinking of starting as education officials failed to deliver exam papers in time.
In Kampala, City Parents and the Mengo-based Lubiri Nabagereka Primary School were among those that had not started 40 minutes after the standard time set for the entire country.
“We have delayed to start. We received the exams late and I am still wondering why!†Christopher Kalyesubula, the head teacher of Lubiri Nabagerka Primary School exclaimed.
The school, which was supposed to start exams at exactly 9:00am as others across the country, began at 10:00am. At City Parents’ Primary school, the 220 pupils were delayed by half an hour.
Like in Kampala, many centres in Kibaale district reported delayed examinations due to administrative issues.
Candidates of Ruswiga and Kibanga primary schools trekked three miles to Muhorro Muslim primary school centre where they registered from, causing the delay of over one and half hours.
The Kibaale district inspector of schools, Patrick Munyole, attributed the chaos to poor communication between the district and the affected schools.
Other sources blamed UNEB for making sudden changes, including creating new centres, even when exams were approaching.
In Kitgum, Police arrested a primary six pupil aged 14 (names withheld) for impersonating a candidate who had earlier paid him for the service. The impostor was detected by a scout who later called in the police.
The District Police Commander Kitgum, Charles Oumo said the boy who in the morning successfully did the SST paper, was nabbed in the afternoon as he wrote the English exam at Padwong Primary school.
In Kalangala district, over 50 candidates from Mazinga Island, Kyamuswa County were on Sunday ferried by canoe to the examination centre on Bukasa Islands.
“We have a total of 84 islands but with a few examination centres. We usually provide life jackets to candidates whom we ferry to various centers in good time,†the Kalangala District Chief Administrative Officer Hope Nakyanzi said.
The UNEB spokesperson, Eva Konde, attributed the delays to deliver exams to some schools to traffic jam in the city and rain, which she claimed, showered most upcountry districts in the morning.
“There are few distributors. One person might be distributing papers to about 10 or 20 schools. Definitely if there is traffic jam, such a person has to delay,†said Konde. She however argued that she was not aware of the problem of mission questions in Bugiri.
The PLE that started yesterday concludes today with Maths and Science. UNEB has deployed about 7,000 scouts and Police detectives to monitor the exams.
“We (Police) are working closely with UNEB to guard against any examinations malpractices especially cheating. So far, we have recorded no case,†said Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba.
UNEB said 486,312 pupils are sitting PLE this year, compared to 435,000 last year.
Aisha Nabukeera, the girl whose step mother allegedly burnt in 2006, was among City Parent’s candidates.
“I am happy that I have sat my lat primary exams. I thank God for my life,†the girl, who until recently wept due to pain, said after her first exam. Like her head teacher Martin Isagala, Nabukeera is optimistic she will scoop a first grade.
“I want to join St. Lawrence for secondary education senior next year. I want to become a doctor,†Nabukeera added, as she dashed to pick a cup of tea before the next exam. After SST, the pupils sat for English yesterday afternoon.
The exams end today (Tuesday) with Mathematics at 9:00am and Basic Sciences and Health Education in the afternoon.
Mathew Bukenya, the UNEB executive secretary, on Saturday said head teachers should not stop candidates who had not cleared their school fees from sitting the examinations.
Compiled by Francis Kagolo, Moses Bikala, Ismail Kasooha, Justin Moro and Dismus Buregeya