Nakaseke district leadership has subjected primary school teachers to a competence test as a way of seeking a permanent solution to the district’s poor performance problem.
Uganda Radio Network (URN) reported that a total of 40 primary seven teachers sat examinations to test their competence after their candidates failed Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
The teachers from the worst-performing schools sat the mock examinations at Nakaseke Technical Institute to establish their knowledge about the subjects they teach and how competent they are to help their learners pass PLE.
The mock examinations were the same that were administered to pupils in 2023.
Nakaseke district, the LCV Chairperson, Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka, is quoted saying that the assessment tests follow poor performance in the 2023 PLE results.
Over the last six years, Koomu has consistently warned teachers to enhance academic performance or face consequences.
Each teacher based on the subject they teach and the 2023 UNEB results, is sitting for the same paper done by P.7 candidates in 2023.
Those who fail to achieve the required 60% pass mark will be required to undergo a refresher course. Others will face demotions to lower classes.
“You can’t teach what you don’t know,” Koomu is quoted as saying.
According to the PLE results for Nakaseke district, 604 candidates (12.9%) were in the first division, 2,706 candidates (57.9%) in the second division, 728 candidates (15.6%) in the third division, and 361 candidates (7.7%) in Division four.
The results indicate that 276 candidates (5.6%) failed and 138 candidates (2.9%) of 4813 candidates that registered didn’t sit the examinations in 2023, reports URN.