The recently released Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) reveal a worrying trend a continued decline in the number of boys completing the primary education cycle.
Data from the 2024 PLE registration shows that out of the total 797,459 candidates, only 378,709 boys (47.5%) registered, compared to 418,750 girls (52.5%).
This marks yet another year where the number of boys completing primary school is lower than that of girls, a trend UNEB confirms has been consistent in recent years.
Education stakeholders and policymakers are raising concerns over this imbalance, which could have long term implications for the country’s workforce and gender dynamics.
Experts attribute this decline among boys to several factors, including high dropout rates due to early involvement in income generating activities, societal pressures, and the lure of informal jobs, particularly in rural areas.
John Bosco Basudde, a teacher a teacher at Bright Junior School notes that cultural expectations in some communities play a significant role.
“In many cases, boys are seen as breadwinners and are often pulled out of school to help support their families,” he says.
He added that boys tend to be money minded and lack role models in society, as they often see educated men engaging in informal jobs, which discourages them and leads to school dropouts.
He also pointed out a weakness in the efforts of the government and civil society organizations, emphasizing that while they focus on empowering girls, they often overlook the needs of boys.
