The Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) is currently grappling with the dilemma of whether to publish lists of withheld results, as it carefully weighs the pros and cons of this practice.
In the past, UNEB regularly shared information about the number of exams withheld and the schools involved.
However, this practice was eventually phased out after schools petitioned the Board, arguing that such publications were damaging their reputations, especially when the schools in question were later cleared after investigations.
Now, a new trend has emerged: some schools, whose results have been withheld, are reportedly issuing fake results to students, further complicating the situation.
Uneb executive director Dan Odongo acknowledged this development and noted that the Board will soon convene to discuss a new approach.
The decision will be made after carefully considering the advantages and disadvantages of continuing to publish the list of withheld results and the schools implicated.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by schools, but we must also prioritize transparency and fairness in the examination process,” Odongo said in a press briefing shortly after the release of the 2024 PLE results.
“We aim to strike a balance that upholds the integrity of the exams while taking into account the interests of both students and schools.”
The board is set to finalize its stance soon, with an emphasis on safeguarding students from potential harm and maintaining the credibility of the investigation process.
Last year, several cases were reported where schools, despite having results withheld, falsely reassured parents.
One prominent case involved Lilian Ayebazibwe, the headteacher of Bubaale Primary School in Bushenyi, who was arrested for issuing false results to 114 of her former students after Uneb had withheld the school’s results due to malpractices.
A similar situation occurred in Nansana Municipality, where students who were given fake results by their schools later enrolled in secondary schools using these fraudulent documents, only for the truth to be discovered later.
Another challenge facing Uneb is the delay in investigating and clearing suspected malpractice cases, which experts have pointed out can negatively impact students whose results are eventually released after the selection for S.1 or S.5 has already taken place.
The recently released Auditor General’s report revealed that more than 50% of withheld results mainly for UCE and UACE were released after the selection for the next level of study had already occurred.
Odongo acknowledged this issue, noting that the Board is working on ways to address it. He admitted that investigations can take time, especially when the cases are complex.
However, he reassured that in the interim, while they seek a lasting solution, the Ministry of Education has committed to reserving some slots for students whose results are released after the selection process.
Although UNEB did not provide specific figures on the number of withheld candidates, it did note that the 2024 PLE examination was marred by malpractice.
“In four centres, headteachers, in collaboration with invigilators, opened envelopes before the designated time and went on to assist candidates during the examination, particularly in Mathematics. In other centres, teachers were arrested for helping candidates on the chalkboard,” Odongo explained.
Available statistics indicate that 68 individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the 2024 examination malpractice, with 12 convictions and sentences already secured.
Odongo further mentioned that some teachers involved in the malpractice have confessed to their actions, and stated that they would return to teaching as responsible educators.
Dr. Kedrace Turyagenda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the ministry will no longer allow teachers implicated in malpractice to simply return to school as they have in the past.
“We will take a tougher stance moving forward,” she stated, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that those involved in malpractice face appropriate consequences.
Explaining the steps the ministry will take, Clophas Mugenyi, the Commissioner for Primary Education, emphasized that teachers found guilty of malpractice and still in public service would face consequences during the trial period.
Upon conviction, these teachers would be subjected to the Teacher Code of Conduct provisions, which could lead to their deregistration. However, addressing how private school teachers would be handled remains a more challenging issue.
The Ministry of Education suggested that private school teachers could also be subjected to the Education Service Commission, which enforces the Teacher Code of Conduct.
However, an official from the ministry revealed to our reporter that cases involving private school teachers would only be addressed once the proposed Teacher Council is established.
This council would have the authority to register and deregister teachers from the national register.
Unfortunately, the Teacher Council has not yet been established, as it is still awaiting approval through the Teacher Act, which is currently before Parliament.
Over the years, the public has urged the Ministry of Education to take stronger measures, including closing schools found to be involved in malpractice, as part of efforts to combat this growing issue.
Examination malpractice has become a serious concern within Uganda’s education system, with many attributing it to factors such as the commercialization of education, intense competition among schools, parents’ desire to send their children to top-performing institutions, and the increasing pressure on teachers and administrators to deliver results.
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