The national examination for this year’s candidates will commence on October 14, according to an examinations timetable released by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).

The calendar starts with a briefing of senior four candidates who will be writing their Uganda Certificate of Education–UCE which will run up to November 18. Additionally, the schedule states that senior six candidates will begin their series on November 18 and continue until December 9.

The Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) are scheduled to start with a briefing on December 7. In contrast to previous years, when students were granted a respite day or two after the briefing, the primary seven candidates this time will begin the exam the next day and finish on December 9.

UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo noted that with the timetables out, teachers should ensure that the necessary teaching and learning, as well as psych-social support, is offered to candidates in the remaining time, for effective preparation.

Odongo also noted that, unlike in previous years, the board has this time provided for the visually impaired students by providing brail and large print timetables. Odongo says this is done to ensure that this group of learners also get a chance to individually read the timetables.

James Turyatemba, the Manager in charge of Examination Management at UNEB, also mentioned that the board is assessing the possibility of increasing the remuneration of the Invigilator, scouts, and special needs interpreters to keep up with current living expenses.

For instance, Turyatemba says that the invigilators have been receiving 40,000 Shillings. “In light of the fact that everything is becoming costly, this payment might not be sufficient. the board is considering adding on something to match the current situation.”

While commenting on the issue of remuneration, Odongo pointed out that it might necessitate the board to ask for extra funding from the government given the fact that what they have might not be enough. However, he noted that the precise payment that will give out to the invigilators and other examination day officials is yet to be decided.

According to the budget framework paper, the board had asked for 145 billion Shillings to run their activities and Turyatemba says that over 50 billion Shillings of this is for examination management. Last year, the board also had to request for additional 10,5 billion shillings to help them conduct examinations in the COVID-19 environment.

For all three levels of the final exams, 1,280,172 students have registered. Comparing this to last year’s exam, it shows a percentage increase of 7.7 per cent in the overall number of candidates. Out of the registered candidates, 56 per cent representing 751,336 learners are funded by the Government, while 44 per cent of candidates are privately sponsored.