As schools across the country reopened for the first term on Monday, students at Blekei Primary School in Runyo sub-county, Busia County, were absent from classes after parents protested over “low academic performance”.
The protests followed the announcement of the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) 2023 in which 38 candidates from government-aided schools were not marked with the highest aggregate marks of 28/26.
According to Uganda's grading system, the best PLE candidates score four total marks in four subjects.
On Monday, angry parents armed with sticks and brandishing placards stormed Brekei Elementary School, demanding the immediate transfer of principal Tadeo Odula.
One parent, Andrew Juma, said: “PLE performance has deteriorated since Odula was introduced in 2019 and we cannot allow this situation to continue.”
Another parent, Humphrey Macawka, said, “Instead of organizing teachers to help learners improve their academic performance, the principal spends most of his time taking learners to his garden.'' It is reported that his grades were poor because of this.”
Patrick Makoka, chairman of Brekei Village LC1, which is responsible for the school, said: “The school used to be one of the highest performing schools in the district, but since 2019 it has been underperforming. ” accused Odullah.
Dennis Musisi, a middle school teacher and former student, said: monitor In his time, he said, “schools were good at PLE, but it seems like the education wasn't happening.”
“It is not possible to register 38 candidates, select the best candidate in the third section, and combine the rest into 36,” he added.
Patrick Munyaho, a member of the school management committee, said he was “surprised” that Odula did not approach the school on the first day of the new term.
“We have asked the principal to provide us with the (PLE) results, but nothing has happened to date,” he said.
Mr Kennedy Menya, the Busia District Schools Inspectorate, said Mr Odula had just come to his office to pick the PLE results and was scheduled to meet with all the principals of government-aided schools that performed poorly this week. revealed.
However, Bonex Taab, chairman of Runyo sub-county LC3, insisted that “Odula should be transferred,'' and warned that “it will be difficult to work with parents who want him to leave.''
Of the 749,254 candidates registered for the 2023 PLE, UPE learners accounted for 501,602.
