As primary seven candidates kicked off their examinations yesterday across the country, their visually impaired colleagues in Bukomansimbi district have voiced their concern over failure by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to provide special invigilators to them.
They condemned UNEB for failure to provide invigilators who can effectively read and understand their language during the final exams.
This issue , they say has caused significant distress and concern among these learners, as it hampers their ability to perform to the best of their abilities.
"Mathematics contains a lot of signs which we cannot understand correctly yet our friends who can see can understand them correctly and this makes our failure to answer questions contain such signs," said Muzamiru Namuttale, a candidate at Misanvu demonstration C/U Primary School.
Annet Nakyaluuzi, an invigilator to Muzamir confirmed that she didn't understand the language and the handwriting Muzamir has been using because she doesn't have any knowledge about it.
"I have been just watching him while typing. I am also requesting the Ministry of Education to make it compulsory in all colleges so that we learn that braille language because you never know where you will be transferred to," Nakyaluuzi said.
Namutale added that besides the absence of special invigilators, the time they were given is not enough especially in the English exam which has long stories with questions to be answered.
"They can bring a story and you take like 20 minutes while reading it yet they have given you three hours and fifteen minutes . This makes it difficult to finish in time. I am requesting UNEB to ease some things for us so that we can cope with the limited time they are given to us," he noted.
The special need candidates also raised a concern of lack of access to secondary education in Greater Masaka regiona.
This lack of secondary schools has resulted in them being unable to progress beyond the primary level, limiting their educational opportunities and future prospects.
They said when they finish primary school, , they have to go to districts such as, Mbarara, Soroti, Jjinja and parents find it much difficult to take them that far for secondary education.
The situation highlights the need for more inclusive and accessible educational policies and practices in Uganda, particularly for special needs children.
It also underscores the importance of addressing the educational infrastructure gaps in underprivileged areas like Greater Masaka to ensure that all students have an equal chance at receiving quality education and pursuing their aspirations. ‘
"We urge the government to help and build special needs schools where these children can go after their primary level to pursue their dreams,"Nakabuye requested.
Out of 3899 candidates who sat for their PLE in Bukomansimbi five of them are of special needs.