By Frank Kamuntu
First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni has released the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results.
With a record 797,444 candidates from 14,883 centers, the 2024 PLE saw a notable increase from the previous year’s 749,347 candidates. The Universal Primary Education (UPE) program played a crucial role, with 65.7% of the candidates being UPE beneficiaries. This surge in participation underscores the impact of the Universal Education Policy in boosting school attendance and reducing dropout rates, now at an impressive 1.3%, down from 1.8% in 2019.
Hon. Museveni commended the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) for their holistic assessment practices, which focus on evaluating students’ mastery of knowledge and skills. This approach ensures that learners are well-prepared to apply their education in real-world scenarios. She also called for more training for teachers to better understand and implement this new assessment method.
However, the Minister expressed concern over the misuse of the “special needs” category by some schools to unfairly gain extra time during exams. She emphasized the need for strict disciplinary measures to maintain the integrity of Uganda’s education system.
In a heartening development, the Uganda Prisons Service extended educational opportunities to inmates, with 71 candidates sitting for the PLE at Luzira Prison and 37 at Mbarara Main Prison. Hon. Museveni highlighted the transformative power of education in rehabilitation and character building.
The Minister urged parents, guardians, and families to take an active role in supporting their children’s education, emphasizing the importance of strong family support in reducing school dropouts and ensuring continuity to secondary education. She also encouraged students with disappointing results to persevere, as UPE schools allow repeating P.7 under the capitation grant.
As the academic year begins, Hon. Museveni cautioned schools to remain vigilant about the Mpox outbreak and adhere to guidelines from the Ministry of Health to protect learners and staff.
Looking ahead, the Senior One Selection Exercise is scheduled for January 30-31, 2025, with the first term for Senior One set to commence on February 17, 2025.
In her closing remarks, Hon. Museveni expressed gratitude to parents, teachers, and all stakeholders for their contributions to Uganda’s education system and officially released the 2024 PLE results for public use. This release not only showcases progress but also reaffirms the commitment to providing quality education for all.
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