The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has revealed its ambitious plan to recruit 60,000 individuals across the country to monitor the upcoming Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). This announcement was made during a meeting with district, municipalities, and city school inspectors responsible for overseeing the administration of PLE.
Mr. Daniel Odongo, the Executive Director of UNEB, emphasized the complexity of monitoring PLE due to the vast number of candidates involved. He expressed, “While PLE is conducted over two days, it feels like a month for us due to the vast number of participants.”
Over 200 district inspectors attended the meeting held at Uneb offices in Kyambogo, Kampala, where they were authorized to recruit chief invigilators, invigilators, scouts, and personnel responsible for distributing examination papers to the examination centers.
Mr. Odongo stressed the importance of these recruits, stating, “These individuals have a significant role to play because we need to employ at least 60,000 people to handle various tasks during the exams. However, some local governments do not have the funds to facilitate them, hence we have to come in.”
To support the inspectors in their roles, UNEB provided them with essential materials for PLE, including timetables for all pupils, lists of examination centers and primary schools nationwide, and examination distribution routes.
PLE is the second set of examinations following the Uganda Certificate of Education, scheduled for October 16, with the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education set to conclude the examination series in November.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, representing the Minister of Education at the event, stressed the importance of preventing malpractice during the upcoming examinations. He urged district inspectors to remain vigilant, particularly during the distribution phase and at the school level, where exam leaks tend to occur.
Ms. Kellen Ayebazibwe, the chairperson of the Uganda National Inspectors Schools Association (UNISA), raised concerns about impassable roads in remote areas, especially during the rainy season, hindering the distribution of PLE materials. Inspectors also expressed frustration over bureaucratic delays in fund processing at local governments.
Mr. Odongo responded by tasking inspectors with identifying the challenges they may encounter during the rainy season so that UNEB can provide necessary financial support.
