KAMPALA. Mr Dan Odongo, the executive director of Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has revealed that the striking teachers have accepted to supervise Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) which kick off on Monday.
A total of 432,159 candidates who registered for the exams were briefed on Friday at 4,308 sitting centres across the country.
52.7 percent of the UCE candidates are females while 47.3 percent are males . The exams will run up to November 8.
In a statement on October 10 ,Mr Odongo ,said teachers are key stakeholders in the conduct of national exams and presence is highly needed .
“The board takes note of concerns of the teachers leading to the industrial action .The Board , however , requests that the teachers do not to tag the supervision of national examinations to the ongoing industrial action .
We ask their indulgence to accept and join us for a new days of the conduct of the examinations ,to enable us effectively assess the achievement of the learners that they have taught over the years.
The briefing session that we have so far had with the chief scouts , who are mainly teachers , indicates that the teachers are willing and ready to participate in the exercise ,and the board greatly appreciate this ,” he said
This year’s national exams will be conducted under the theme “Embracing security and holistic assessment of learners in a dynamic environment.”
As usual ,Uneb has partnered with various security agencies as well as contracted professionals to ensure the security of the examinations is guaranteed. Over 1,300 scouts have been deployed countrywide, along with over 500 security personnel.
Mr Odongo urged all stakeholders to uphold the sanctity of the exams by shunning all acts of malpractices .
“Section 26 of the Uneb Act CAP259 provides that teachers ,invigilators and scouts or any other persons who assist candidates to cheat, who negligently allow, or fail to stop unauthorized assistance to candidates are liable ,on conviction ,to a fine not exceeding one thousand currently points or 5 years in prison or both,” he said
According to Uneb timetable , candidates will start with Geography Paper and Biology in the morning and on Tuesday they will write Physics (Theory) paper .