Education experts have called on the government to investigate the decline in Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, particularly in urban centres like Kampala, where performance has traditionally been strong.
The 2024 PLE results revealed a decrease in the number of students passing in Division One, dropping from 86,582 in 2023 to 84,301 in 2024.
This decline has raised concerns among parents and educators, prompting calls for comprehensive research to identify the root causes.
Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu, a senior lecturer at Makerere University, emphasized the need for evidence-based analysis.
“In academia, we don’t draw conclusions before conducting research. It’s essential to investigate the factors affecting students’ performance before making assumptions,” he stated.
Dr. Kiggundu suggested that overcrowded urban schools, the commercialization of education, and an overreliance on rote learning might be contributing factors.
Filbert Baguma, Secretary-General of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), highlighted another perspective, cautioning parents against assuming that high school fees automatically lead to better academic outcomes.
“Some parents in urban areas believe that paying more guarantees success, but that’s a misconception,” he noted, adding that many private schools underpay their teachers, affecting the quality of education.
Joseph Ssewungu, Kalungu West MP and a professional educator, hinted at possible political influences on education narratives.
“There may be efforts to portray rural schools as catching up with urban institutions, but we must examine this critically,” he said.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), while releasing the results, acknowledged improved overall performance in 2024 compared to 2023 but noted a lower number of candidates demonstrating high proficiency.
As concerns grow, education experts and stakeholders are urging the government to commission a study to uncover the factors behind the decline and implement measures to support improved student outcomes across the country.
