KAMPALA – The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) is seeking an additional Shs.20 billion to retool examiners and mark the new curriculum exams, citing the need for specialized training due to the different approach required.
Mr Daniel Odongo, the UNEB secretary, told the parliamentary Committee on Education that the new examination curriculum presents significant challenges, which have been raised with the Minister of Education, Janet Kataha Museveni.
He warned of serious consequences if the necessary resources are not provided to facilitate transitional exams, including the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams.
Odongo revealed that UNEB had been forced to suspend key programs, such as the retooling of examiners and the training of teachers, due to funding shortages.
“As I speak, Shs10.5 billion has been made available to UNEB, but this amount is insufficient. Parliament had approved Shs30 billion for the entire exercise,” he noted.
However, with the funds received, UNEB has resumed essential training for secondary curriculum examiners.
Teachers who are expected to mark the new exams are now being retooled to handle the updated curriculum.
Odong appealed to the committee members to ensure the remaining Shs.20 billion is secured, as committed by the Treasury, to enable UNEB to conduct the 2024 exams, including the new curriculum exams, as well as the PLE and A-Level exams, both of which have seen a significant increase in candidate numbers.
