Breaking

UCE 2024 Kicks Off Smoothly

Top story
Candidates under the new lower secondary curriculum began their day with a mathematics exam, which will be followed by Chemistry Paper One in the afternoon.
14 Oct 2024 12:10
Headteacher of Moroto High School, Eric Fred Sabila interacting with candidates before the first paper.

Audio 7

The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations commenced on schedule this morning, largely without incident across the country. 

Candidates under the new lower secondary curriculum began their day with a mathematics exam, which will be followed by Chemistry Paper One in the afternoon. Meanwhile, those following the old curriculum started with practical chemistry, with music aural scheduled for later in the evening.

Most examination storage centers opened on time, with upcountry centers ready by around 8:00 AM and those in and around Kampala at 8:30 AM. Schools generally adhered to the timetable, with exams kicking off at 9:00 AM, although a few experienced minor delays of about 10 to 15 minutes.

At Lugoba High School in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, an incident occurred when school authorities briefly held back candidates who had outstanding school fees from accessing the examination rooms. This caused panic among the students, with over 30 teachers present, some of whom were visibly distressed, fearing that the school intended to prevent them from sitting for their papers.

Some Candidates reported that school authorities had separated students over outstanding fees, with amounts as low as 10,000 shillings being demanded. Although the school administrators declined an interview, one of the teachers explained that the school wasn’t denying access but was using this as a tactic to see whether they could get some money at this last minute.

“At the last minute, when you act as if you might deny them their exams, some parents scramble to bring money,” the teacher remarked. “The school has been patient with parents who continually promise to pay.” Eventually, the learners were cleared and allowed to enter the examination rooms at around 9:10 AM. 

Earlier today, and during briefing day, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) urged schools to resolve any outstanding fee issues with parents well in advance to avoid inconveniencing candidates at the last minute. UNEB requested that school heads flag students with fee balances on their portal, ensuring that their results would not be released until all dues were cleared. 

Last-minute issues can severely disorient candidates, who already face significant exam pressure. The added anxiety of potentially being barred from sitting for their exams only heightens their stress. In Kisoro, the distribution of UCE exams in Kabale District began promptly at 8:35 AM. Medard Turamyomwe, the head teacher at Nyamweru Secondary School in Rubanda District, reported that all 63 registered candidates are present and prepared to take their exams. 

He noted that, unlike in previous years when bad weather disrupted distribution, the sunny morning conditions facilitated efficient transportation of the exam materials. Celeson Katongole, head teacher at St. Agatha Girls Kakore in Hamurwa Sub County, also expressed satisfaction with the distribution timing, confirming that UNEB had scheduled it to start at 8:30 AM. 

He reported that all 132 candidates were ready to sit for their exams. Katongole added that the favorable weather in the Kigezi region on Monday morning was a blessing, allowing day-schooling candidates to walk to school without any inconvenience. 

//Cue in: “for us Nyamweru… 

Cue out: …20 minutes.”// 

Christopher Monday, head teacher of St.Marys College Rushoroza in Kabale district said that all 199 candidates that registered to sit for exams under the new curriculum are available.  He expresses optimism of better performance saying that all the candidates were well briefed. 

//Cue in: “today being the… 

Cue out: ….at school.”//   

Elly Maate, the Kigezi region police spokesperson said that the distribution of the exams in the entire Kigezi region has registered a success with no negative effect reported. Maate added that security officers both covert and overt are on alert to deal with any form of criminality like malpractice. 

He warns that anybody who will be involved in sabotage during the exam period will be apprehended and charged accordingly. 

//Cue in: “UNEB exams at… 

Cue out…exam season.”// 

At Luwero Central Police Station, the UNEB containers were opened promptly at 8:00 AM, allowing officials to clear each school before handing over envelopes containing the exam papers. 

By around 8:30 AM, distribution to head teachers commenced, and they quickly boarded their vehicles to transport the papers to schools, even amidst light rain. 

This year, UNEB expanded the number of distribution centers in the Luwero District from three to six police stations. Schools such as Ndejje Vocational Secondary School, Original Progressive SS Kasana, New Life SS, and Kakoola High School reported a smooth start to the examinations. 

At New Life Secondary School, candidates were checked in and examinations began at 9:00 AM. Out of 95 registered candidates, 93 were present, with only two absent. 

Paul Mukungu, the director of New Life Secondary School, praised UNEB for the improved distribution process, noting that the examination started without issues. 

However, he acknowledged that some candidates were nervous, as they were pioneers of the exams under the new lower curriculum.   

//Cue in: “For today we …. 

Cue out;…pass the exams,”//    

Luganda Byte

//Cue in: “Twagala okwebaza government…. 

Cue out…okutuula ebibuuzo,”//   

At Kakoola High School, Mike Wagaba the headteacher said all 134 registered candidates turned in for the examinations and they were going on smoothly. 

In Moroto District, head teachers began departing from the exam storage facility at Moroto Central Police Station at 8:42 AM. Some head teachers opted to transport the examination papers via boda-bodas, which led Deputy RDC Justine Tuko to lend his car to Rupa Seed Secondary School for delivering the papers. 

Tuko assured that security measures had been implemented to address any potential disturbances from local warriors. He confirmed that the distribution of the examinations for the morning papers had been carried out successfully. 

//Cue in “Security is okay… 

Cue out…goats like that.”// 

At Moroto High School, the largest examination center in the district with 187 candidates, students began arriving at the venue by 8:00 AM. Eric Fred Sabila, the head teacher, described the preparation process as both challenging and educational due to the new curriculum. 

He emphasized the unique hurdles faced in readying students for the exams, but he also recognized the valuable lessons learned along the way. 

//Cue in “As this old…

Cue out…it is items.”//