PLE 2024: Wakiso Candidate Collapses

A P7 candidate at Precious Lilies Primary School in Wakiso district collapsed as she was about to sit the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) on Wednesday. 

The pupil, identified as Lubowa Nagirinya, collapsed during the routine check at Steven Jota, a designated main sitting centre in Wakiso District.

Rita Nanyanzi, Wakiso District Inspector of Schools, confirmed the incident, saying, “It was a shocking situation, and the learner was immediately rushed to Sebbi Medical Center in Nansana, where she regained consciousness.” Although she returned to the examination centre at 9: 40 a.m. (40 minutes after the start of the examination), Nagirinya was not allowed to enter, as PLE regulations prevent candidates from joining the exam room after a 15-minute grace period. 

However, she was able to sit for the afternoon Social Studies and Religious Education paper. 

According to Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) rules, candidates who miss any examination paper are not eligible for supplementary exams and cannot receive a full grade. 

The incident brings memories of 2022 when 23 candidates from St. Christine Primary School in Kakumiro missed their first exam due to transport challenges.

Despite the rule, public pressure forced Education Minister Janet Kataha Museveni to intervene, allowing UNEB to offer a supplementary exam under exceptional circumstances. 

Nanyanzi stated that the learner's medical records have been submitted to her, and she will include them in a report to UNEB, hoping that the authorities will consider the girl’s plight.

In a separate incident on the first day of PLE, UNEB officials discovered several teachers hiding in a bathroom at another examination centre in Lubowa, disguised as cleaners, allegedly attempting to pass answers to students. 

One teacher has been arrested, while others fled the scene. Jennifer Kalule, UNEB spokesperson, stated, “Investigations are ongoing, and further details will be provided once they are complete," Nalule said. 

She added that, overall, the first day of exams proceeded smoothly, with only minor issues reported in Mpigi District, which are also under investigation. 

This year, a total of 798,771 candidates are registered for the PLE, taking place across 15,311 centres. The candidates started with Mathematics in the morning, followed by Social Studies and Religious Education in the afternoon. On the second day, they will take Science and English.