High Sound for Children, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting child rights and development through media in Uganda, is deeply concerned about the current trend of emphasising grades over holistic education, which negatively impacts children.
The statement released by the organisation on the recently released 2024 PLE results stated that the focus on examination results often leads to psychological violence, with children feeling unworthy if they do not meet parents’ or schools’ expectations.
“Tragically, some cases have escalated into mental health crises, including the suicide of 16-year-old Abdurahim Rusiba from Wakiso District in January 2024. This incident highlights the urgent need for a shift in perspective and support systems for children.”
Ivan Senabulya, media and communications officer at High Sound for Children, said in the statement that these results have sparked disappointment among schools, parents, and learners, reflecting societal pressure and unrealistic expectations that harm children’s self-esteem and psychological well-being.
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) released the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results. These results showed overall improved performance compared to 2023, though there was a slight decline in the number of first-grade achievers.
A total of 786,981 candidates sat for the examinations, of whom 722,730 passed and qualified to progress to secondary or tertiary institutions. However, 64,251 candidates failed and were ungraded, unable to advance to the next level of education. Notably, only 84,301 candidates (10.7%) earned Division One grades, down from 86,582 (11.7%) in 2023. The majority scored in Division Two (397,589), followed by Division Three (165,284) and Division Four (75,556).
To address these challenges, High Sound for Children has recommended that;
- Children should not be judged solely by their scores but by their ability to understand and apply what they learn in everyday life.
- Schools must stop rejecting students who score low aggregates. True excellence lies in a school’s ability to nurture and transform struggling learners into thriving individuals. Schools that exclusively admit high-performing students without improving weaker ones are not achieving meaningful results.
- Media houses should adopt ethical practices when reporting national examination results. Highlighting only top scorers unfairly disregards the diverse circumstances in which children learn and perform. Instead, media should feature stories that inspire confidence in all learners.
- The government should prioritise the 64,251 ungraded candidates by offering alternative educational programs to build their skills, confidence, and future prospects.
- Parents must understand that not achieving a Division One grade or “4s” is not a failure. Celebrate every child’s effort and guide them toward their strengths.
Conclusion
High Sound for Children congratulated all children who sat for the 2024 PLE.
“To those who succeeded, we celebrate your achievements. To those who fell short, this is not the end—let’s focus on understanding the challenges and working towards improvement. We also thank parents, schools, and the government for their unwavering support in shaping children’s educational journeys. Together, we can create a nurturing and equitable learning environment for all.” Senabulya remarked.
