PLE National Examinations Begin for 798,771 Students Across Uganda

Over 798,000 Primary Seven (Grade 7) students in Uganda have begun their final Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) nationwide, starting with the mathematics paper.

These exams, administered by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), mark a critical milestone for pupils transitioning from primary to secondary education.

The three-day examination series commenced today, with students taking on mathematics as their opening paper. On Wednesday, November 6, students tackled Social Studies, while Thursday, November 7, will see candidates sitting for the English paper in the morning and Science in the afternoon. The exams are expected to conclude by the end of the week.

UNEB spokesperson Jennifer Kalule Musamba confirmed that the examinations have so far proceeded smoothly, with no significant complaints or irregularities reported from examination centers across the country.

“The process has been largely incident-free, and UNEB is closely monitoring all exam centers to ensure adherence to examination guidelines and maintain standards,” Musamba said.

In a notable aspect of this year’s PLE, 323 inmates are also taking the exams across 18 prison centers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to educational access for all, including incarcerated individuals.

The Uganda Prisons Service, in collaboration with UNEB, has made arrangements to facilitate these candidates’ participation, offering them the same examination opportunities as other students nationwide.

The PLE exams, typically conducted under tight security and rigorous supervision, are vital in determining students’ placement in secondary schools. Schools, parents, and candidates alike have been preparing intensely for this crucial phase, and UNEB has implemented heightened measures to curb examination malpractices, including the deployment of supervisors and security personnel.

Education experts highlight the importance of these exams, especially in a rapidly changing academic landscape, as students are expected to adapt to a new curriculum in secondary education.