O'Level exams commence without major delays
Oct 17, 2016
This time round, city schools were able to receive examination papers on time compared to last year where they endured delays in receiving the papers
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations officially kicked-off across the country today with 323,129 candidates from 3,453 centres across Uganda beginning with Physics Practical paper (535/3) in the morning, Fine Art and Shorthand in the afternoon.
Students of Kololo Secondary School receive materials for Physics Practicals as exams kicked off. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe
According to Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) time table, O'Level exams commenced on Friday with briefing of candidates on directions and cautions during this examination period and will end on 23rd November.
New Vision visited some schools in Kampala, the examination progress was normal. This time round, city schools were able to receive examination papers on time compared to last year where they endured delays in receiving the papers due to delay in dispatching question papers to the various pick up points by UNEB.
At Kyambogo College School, exams arrived reached at 8:30am and by 9am, students began. Annie Tumwesigye the Kyambogo College head teacher said that the school has fees defaulters had been allowed to sit for the exams.
At Kololo Secondary School, the exams started on time. Edward Kanoonya the headmaster at the school applauded UNEB for making the examinations available on time.
However, City High School on the other hand registered a delay in starting the first paper.
Claire Nduhura, the head teacher said they faced some challenges the first examination being a practical paper and had to take time to check for whether the specimen provided matched the questions.
At Kitante Hill School, Rose Izizinga, the head teacher, said the papers arrived on time and there was no problem reported.
According to the UNEB timetable Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations will start on 11th November with candidates' briefing, before European History on 14th November and ending with indigenous languages on December 6th.
Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) will start on November 2nd, with Mathematics and Social Studies in the morning and afternoon respectively and will end on November 3rd, with Integrated Science in the morning and English in the afternoon.
An invigilator searches Kololo Secondary School students before they enter the exam room. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe
Meanwhile Police has warned against exam malpractice.
Andrew Felix Kaweesi the Police publicist the said they have deployed enough officers to make sure all exams are protected well at all Police stations and delivered without any tampering at various centres.
"All those teachers who are caught involved in malpractice shall be arrested and taken to court. Even those who impersonate as students will be dealt with" he warned.