Mr. Dan Odong,the executive director of UNEB while addressing journalists at the Uganda media center
Uganda National Examinations board has assured P.7 candidates that are going to sit thier fina examinations tomorrow Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th November 2023, that all questions in papers have been drawn from the syllabus of the curriculum that they have been following over the years.
Addressing journalists at media center today, 7th November the day candidates are also commenced their examinations with Briefing, Dan Odong, the executive director of UNEB has noted that there is nothing strange in the examination papers.
He asked all candidates to avoid being misled by individuals who pretend to have papers with a mission of conning them.
A total of 749,347 candidates registered for the examination this year from 14,442 examination Centers, as compared to 14,153 centers last year. 52% (391,558) of the total candidature are females while 48% (357,789) are males.
Upper Prison School Luzira registered 79 candidates; 13 females and 66 mates. 79% of examination centers are Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools, with a total of 501,619 candidates.
The Non-UPE centers are 21%, hosting 247, 728 candidates. In total, 70% of the candidates are funded under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) Program, while 30% are privately sponsored.
2,580 candidates were registered to have Special Needs Education (SNE) requirements, as compared to 2,316 candidates last year.
These SNE learners will be given the necessary support. UNEB will avail braille question papers and answer sheets for the blind, large print question papers for those with low vision, sign language interpreters for the deaf, and transcribers for learners with dyslexia and those with severe physical impairments (reading and writing challenges).
The SNE candidates will be allowed 45 extra minutes for each paper. A total of 769 SNE personnel have been deployed to provide the required support.
Scouts and invigilators are encouraged to be vigilant and look out for the sensitive needs of the SNE candidates and support them appropriately.
Odong noted that Support personnel sent by UNEB should also be accorded the necessary cooperation to enable them render the required support to the SNE candidates.
The field conduct of the PLE will be handled by 139 District Monitors, 11, 758 scouts,
10,664 Chief invigilators, and 30,059 invigilators.
A number of security personnel have also been deployed across the country to support the exercise and ensure the security of the examination, as well as the security of the filed officers and the candidates.
The Board strongly warned all persons contemplating involvement in any form of examination malpractice that they will be dealt with in accordance with the UNEB Act 2021.
The public is further warned that there are persons who have set up social media platforms and have been collecting money purportedly to access and supply PLE question papers.
Security agencies have arrested some of these, while others are on the run. There may be other desperate persons who might try to circulate what they purport to be PLE papers.
Any person found doing so will be dealt with in accordance with Section 25 (1) (2) and (4) of the UNEB Act 2021, which provides for a maximum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment upon conviction. Mr. Odong noted.
Invigilators and Scouts who negligently allow malpractice to take place under their watch will be dealt with under Section 26 (1) (g), which provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of five years upon conviction. So they are cautioned.
Members of the public with information that may lead to persons involved in suspected malpractice should call any of our toll free Nos: 0800- 111-427; 0800-211-077.
The informer will be protected under the Boards ‘Whistle Blower’s policy.
The Board requests Local government and political leaders in all the examination districts to take keen interest in the conduct of the examinations and do all in their powers to support a smooth conduct of the examinations in their districts.
Chief Administrative officers, especially, are requested to avail the logistics necessary for the smooth and safe distribution of the PLE papers to the sitting centres, and return of scripts; and toe ensure that the personnel participating in this exercise are people who can be held accountable.
The board has laos Cautioned to Head teachers/School Directors against disrupting examination conduct.
School head teachers and directors have been advised to settle the issues of school fees well ahead of the examination dates.
It is a criminal offence, under section 30 (1) of the UNEB Act 2021, to disrupt an examination to remove candidates on the basis of fees balances. Mr. Odong added.
The Board also encouraged parents to fulfil their fees obligations in good time, or make an arrangement with the schools on how to pay.
The Board will, once again, offer to assist schools, by blocking access to examination results of those candidates who have fees balances, but have been allowed to sit the examination. He noted.
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