KAMPALA–In last year’s Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) released yesterday (Friday),only 57, 198 candidates scored first grade compared to last year’s 63,400 candidates.
According to figures from UNEB, private schools registered more first grades than government aided schools.
In 2017,a total of 333,494 girls sat PLE as opposed to 312,695 boys.
In total, 646,190 candidates sat PLE at 12,751 registered centres, an increase in number compared to 2016, which had 622,299 pupils.
But a number of districts failed to register any grade. Figures from UNEB show that Kween district registered the highest failures followed by Bukwo, Tororo , Kayunga and Mbale. Others are Mayuge, Kamuli, Buvuma Budaka and Bududa.
Wakiso, Kampala, Masaka, Bushenyi, Kabale Ntugamo and Rukingiri emerged the best.
Why the poor performance
State minister for Primary Education Rose Mary Sseninde attributed the poor performance in rural districts to teachers’ absenteeism.
Delivering her message at the release of PLE results at the President’s office, Sseninde explained that the continued missing of classes by teachers is causing the disparities in performance between rural and urban schools.
“An immediate tough measure against such teachers has to be taken,” she added.
She also blamed the poor attitude of parents, adding that some parents don’t want provide lunch to their children.
However,Dan Odongo, the executive secretary of UNEB, said the that the overall performance for 2017 was better, explaining that big number of candidates qualify or any post primary education.
Odongo said 57,198 passed in First Grade, 293,977 in Second Grade, 128,573 in Third Grade, 91,504 in 4th grade while 57,354 were not graded.
Figures show that social studies and integrated science were the best performed subjects. Performance in mathematics improved at credit and pass levels but there was declined at distinction level.
Odongo also revealed that 466,235 pupils, representing 72.0 per cent were beneficiaries of Universal Primary Education. UPE started in 1997 and some of its pioneers are now university graduates.
Odongo said results of 2,559 candidates are held pending cases related to examination malpractice.
“The candidates whose results are being held shall be accorded a fair hearing,” he added.
