Many pupils to sit PLE without geometry sets

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Wakiso district educationists are worried that many pupils are set to sit their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) without essential school study requirements like geometry sets, rulers and pens.

The district inspector of schools, George Wiliam Mwanje says that the requirements which some pupils are lacking contribute a lot towards their good performance not only in national examinations but even in their day today class work.

Mwanje was addressing pupils, teachers and members of Mutundwe Rotary Club at Kavumba Church of Uganda Primary school in Wakiso town council and called upon old students to liaise with the teachers in schools where they studied from to help the pupils whose parents cannot afford to provide what is necessary.

Some schools have however got support from the community, with Mutundwe Rotary Club setting the pace.

Mutundwe Rotary handed over geometry sets, calibrated rulers and even some snacks to 97 candidates of Kavumba C/U PS to be used during their PLE period next week.

The school head teacher Nakigudde Betty Musisi says that this was a great opportunity for her learners since majority of them did not have the instruments.

Asked what those learners who never had the instruments would have done come Tuesday when the examinations begin, Nakigudde said that the school had resorted to comforting them and then wait for God’s mercy.

Rotarian Dr. Timothy Mutesasira from Mutundwe Rotary Club and an old student of the school who mobilized other Rotarians to come up with the donations said that the reports he had received from the school that some candidates lacked necessities like pens were touching.

Wakiso LC 5 Vice Chairperson who also doubles as the district woman MP-elect, Rotarian Betty Ethol Naluyima called upon Rotarians and other people to consider going back to the schools where they studied from not only to monitor their progress but also to offer assistance where necessary.

The school head prefect Muwonge George William has testified that he was among the many candidates who did not have the requirements which one day was a reason he was blocked from attending a mathematics class.

He says that the only hope he was remaining with was prayer since his parents do not have the money to buy a geometry set.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) delayed the 2020 exams by four months, and has designated Tuesday March 30th and Wednesday 31st as the days when Primary Leaving Examinations will be done, much later than the usual time.

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