At least 91 pupils from three primary schools in Ibanda District have been directed to repeat Primary Seven and resit the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) after their results were cancelled by the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) due to examination malpractice.
The affected pupils come from Rwabugwizi Primary School in Ishongororo Town Council, St Timothy Primary School in Rukiri Sub-county, and Mutukura Primary School, also in Rukiri Sub-county.
According to the Ibanda District Education Officer, Peter Nsimire, Uneb had initially cancelled results for 117 candidates across the district.
However, after intervention by district education authorities, results for 26 candidates were later released, leaving 91 pupils whose results remain cancelled.
Nsimire explained that Rwabugwizi Primary School had presented 22 candidates for the PLE, but only three pupils had their results released by Uneb.
“At Rwabugwizi Primary School, 22 candidates sat for the examinations but only three had their results cleared and released. The rest were affected by the cancellation due to suspected examination malpractice,” Nsimire said.
He added that at St Timothy Primary School, 33 pupils sat for the PLE but results for 13 candidates were cancelled.
Meanwhile, Mutukura Primary School was the most affected, with 62 pupils who sat the examinations but results for 59 candidates were cancelled.
“The affected pupils will have to repeat Primary Seven and sit the examinations again because their results were nullified by Uneb,” Nsimire noted.
The District Education Officer condemned the practice of examination malpractice, warning schools against engaging in activities that compromise the integrity of national examinations.
“Examination malpractice undermines the credibility of our education system. Schools must desist from such acts and ensure that pupils sit examinations in a fair and transparent manner,” he emphasized.
Education authorities in the district have urged school administrators, teachers and parents to work together to promote discipline and integrity during national examinations to avoid similar incidents in the future.