KAMPALA

Although Uganda National Examinations Board executive secretary Mathew Bukenya reported yesterday that candidates’ expression in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations had improved, English language was the worst done subject.

For example, 84.7 per cent, of the 560,924 candidates passed English language after they scored between distinctions and pass eight. Mathematics and Science tied at 86.2 while Social Studies was the best done subject with 90.2 per cent.

At distinction, Mathematics was the worst done paper with only 2.8 per cent of the 560,904 pupils getting distinction two while English had 7.2 per cent at the same level. “The candidates’ expression and handwriting showed improvement compared to the previous years,” Mr Bukenya said.

Mr James Tweheyo, Uganda National Teachers Union general secretary, yesterday said the poor performance in English and Mathematics should worry all stakeholders because these are subjects being fronted by government. He added that the fact that children are not able to communicate effectively in English does not portend well.

Mr Tweheyo dismissed the view that the decline recorded wasn’t as a result of the teachers’ strike last year which halted business in the education sector following their demand for 20 per cent salary increment. “We should even thank God that teachers are there struggling to ensure the children study. The problem is not the teacher. The problem is the cause of the teachers’ strike,” he explained.

“We should all be worried; teachers, parents and other stakeholders that English and Mathematics’ performance is low and worse at lower level. This is going to affect their performance at secondary and by the time they complete studies, their competence will be very low.”
Daily Monitor 

Posted by Editor on 08:10. Filed under eastafricannews . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0