The Ministry of Education and Sports has dismissed queries over the credibility and integrity of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).

This follows continued complaints from the public regarding the drop in First Grades recorded in last year’s 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results despite an overall improvement in the pass rate.

It should be noted that a total of 84,301 candidates passed in First Grade compared to 86,582 candidates who got First Grades in 2023, indicating a significant drop.

The drop in First Grades has caused mixed reactions amongst members of the public with many doubting the credibility and integrity of UNEB.

While opening the selection exercise of Senior One students at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) Grounds Lugogo in Kampala, the State Minister for Primary Education, Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu explained that UNEB has got all standard procedures followed while setting, marking and grading of candidates hence its credibility cannot be questioned especially now.

Meanwhile, Head teachers from various secondary schools across the country converged for the Senior One selections exercise at the UMA Grounds at Lugogo in Kampala on Thursday morning.

This followed the release of the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) which showed that a total of 722,730 candidates passed and will be placed in 3,000 secondary schools or vocational and tertiary training institutions at the end of the selection exercise that ends on Friday.

Speaking to the deputy Head teacher of St. Peters Senior Secondary School Nsambya, Elizabeth Asimwe, she explained that they have maintained their entry points for Senior One for both girls and boys from aggregate 4-9 and they were given 315 students in their school.

She also spoke about this year’s performance saying that although the number of pupils who scored aggregate 4 reduced, the general performance was better compared to that of 2023.

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