The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has warned headteachers, cautioning them against barring Senior Four (S4) candidates from sitting for their Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations due to outstanding school fees.
The directive, aimed at safeguarding students’ right to education, was communicated during the police’s weekly press briefing on the security of the ongoing examinations.
Jennifer Kalule Musamba, the UNEB principal public relations officer, stressed that no student should be prevented from accessing the examination rooms or removed during the exams, regardless of their financial situation.
“Now that that examinations have started, we request Head Teachers to avoid the act of blocking candidates from accessing the examination rooms or pulling them out due to fees balances.” She said
She urged school administrations to trust UNEB, assuring them that measures will be in place to help schools recover outstanding fees when the exam results are released. “The Board will work with schools to put in place measures to assist them recover their fees at the time of release of results.” She noted.
UNEB urged candidates to maintain appropriate conduct throughout the examination period, emphasizing that if a candidate misbehaves and is disciplined by their school, UNEB will not intervene.
“We also warn candidates against acts of indiscipline. The fact that you are candidates does not absolve you from following school regulations. UNEB will neither be involved nor sympathize with a candidate in a case where such a candidate is subjected to disciplinary measures by the school on account of indiscipline.” She said.
The UCE examinations officially commenced today, with candidates across the country reporting to their respective centers. However, UNEB’s announcement comes as a response to mounting concerns that some schools might resort to withholding access to exams as a way to enforce fee payments from parents.
