By David Mafabi
KAMPALA–Top schools across the country today moved to stiffen competition as they announced cut-off points that will leave many pupils who wanted to join them in the limbo.
The selection of Senior One students by head teachers of various government-aided and private schools from across the country kicked off today (Jan 24) and will end tomorrow January 25.
The secondary school head teachers are taking on a two-day selection exercise at the Uganda Manufacturing Association grounds in Kampala after the release of the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results on January 12.
Government last week released the cut-off points for admission into government-aided schools and Namugoongo, Kisubi, Namilyango, Namagunga, Gayaza and King’s College Budo, among others, are planning to admit only candidates who obtained Aggregate Four and five in last year’s PLE.
“The hike in entry cut-off points is attributed to the improved performance in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). More so, the number of candidates went up last year, compared to the previous year,” said Mr Abubakar Masifa, the head teacher Bukionde SS in Mbale.
UNEB executive secretary Daniel Odongo, while releasing the results last week, said a total of 57,198 pupils passed in First Grade, 293,977 in Second Grade, 128,573 in Third Grade, 91,504 in 4th Grade while 57,354 were not graded.
The figures showed that Social Studies and integrated science were the best performed subjects. Performance in mathematics improved at credit and pass levels but there was a decline at distinction level.
Today, more than half of candidates who sat last year’s PLE are eligible to join post-primary institutions for further education, according to Uganda National Examinations.
According to Mr Sam Kuloba, the commissioner of Education [secondary], admissions to Senior One are based on the candidate’s performance in PLE and the schools he or she applied to.
“PLE candidates are required to fill forms before the examinations, indicating the schools they prefer to join for secondary education but most schools under the Universal Secondary Education programme, especially those upcountry, are expected to admit candidates who scored up to Aggregate 28,” Kuloba said