Senior One Selection Exercise Starts Friday at UMA as Term One Kicks Off

The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has unveiled key dates and details for the National Senior One (S1) Selection Exercise and the start of the new academic year for learners across the country.

In a series of posts on X, the Ministry confirmed that the S1 Selection Exercise — which places Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) passers into secondary schools — is scheduled to take place from Friday, February 13, to Saturday, February 14, at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Multi-Purpose Hall in Lugogo, Kampala.

The announcement comes as schools resume for Term One of the 2026 academic year after the holiday break.

Back to School for Term One

In an earlier post on February 10, the Ministry welcomed learners back to school following the holidays.

“The holidays are finally over, and it’s time to embark on a new academic year,” the Ministry said, encouraging students to return ready to learn and grow.

Learners are expected to report for the first term on Monday, February 16, 2026. The term runs from February 10 to May 1, 2026, under a revised schedule issued to safeguard learners during the period of the General Elections earlier this month.

Senior One Placement Exercise

The Ministry also reminded the public that the S1 placement process, which matches Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates to secondary schools, was conducted between January 29 and January 30, 2026.

The selection exercise uses a computerised automated system aimed at promoting fairness and merit-based allocation of learners to schools.

According to the Ministry, about 80% of learners who passed the PLE are placed into secondary schools through this national process and around 2,500 secondary schools, including 1,422 government-aided institutions, participated in the placement exercise.

Focus on Fair Access and Safety

The Ministry’s updates underscore efforts to ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary schooling while maintaining safety standards, particularly in light of disruptions related to the January elections.

Parents, learners, and school administrators have been advised to adhere to reporting dates and procedures to avoid delays in the start of term activities.

As schools reopen, the Ministry reiterated its commitment to supporting learners in accessing quality education throughout the 2026 academic year.