Examination body, UNEB has said it has deployed at least 600 security personnel to secure the Primary Leaving Exams that begin this week.
UNEB spokesperson, Jennifer Kalule said the exams will begin with a briefing today, Monday before the actual exams are written on Wednesday November, 6 and Thursday November, 7.
“ The candidates will write Mathematics and Social Studies and Religious education on the first day and Integrated Science and English on the final day,” Kalule said.
She noted that a total of 798,771 candidates will sit PLE exams this year, 379,414 of which, representing 47.4% being males and the remaining 419,357 being females.
The UNEB spokesperson said 524,690 accounting for 66.7% are Universal Primary Education(UPE) candidates while 274,081 are non UPE.
The special needs candidates are 3,295, with 1,677 of these being females.
Kalule said these will be given an extra 45 minutes in accordance with regulations to be able to complete their papers.
“They will also receive necessary support based on their special needs including braille answer sheets that have been availed for the blind , large print papers for those with low vision while the deaf are assigned sign language interpreters. Those with dyslexia and writing problems will be availed transcribers,” Kalule said.
Exam malpractice
The UNEB spokesperson said they have partnered with various security agencies as well as other professionals to oversee the conduct of the PLE exams.
“We have deployed 13,000 scouts and nearly 600 security personnel including those under cover. These will oversee the same conduct of examinations throughout the country,” Kalule noted.
She warned candidates, or their teachers against involving in any form of exam malpractice that could attract heavy punishments.
Kalule specifically mentioned possession of any unauthorized material, content or information purported to be a UNEB examination paper.
“This includes online sharing and being in possession of electronic version of any such material. Such an act is an offence under section 24 and 25 of the UNEB Act. Anyone involved in this offence is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding shs20 million or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both,” Kalule said.
