Published on 17/12/2024
Frustrated by low pay, 159 examiners contracted by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) have abandoned marking the 2024 UCE exams. The walkout leaves Physics and Agriculture theory papers in limbo, raising concerns over the exam process.
Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) would like to assure the public that although some examiners left the marking centres after disagreement on payment, the marking at all Examination Marking Centres is continuing smoothly as planned.
The Board contracted seven thousand examiners to mark the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) scripts for both the New curriculum and the Transitional/Old Curriculum Examinations this year. Senior Examiners reported on November 30th for Coordination with subject Officers.
The rest of the Examiners reported on December 6th to the 14 marking centres for further coordination and preparations for effective marking. Actual marking was slated to start on December 13th.
However, on that day, two groups of Examiners for Physics and Agriculture theory papers declined to start the exercise because they were not satisfied with the payment rate. This was despite efforts to negotiate with them, and the explanation that Management had already considered the dynamics of the new curriculum and made some adjustments in accordance with the available resources.
While some examiners objected to the adjusted rates, majority accepted and marking started effectively at all the Centres. About 100 out of over 400 Examiners of Physics walked out of the Marking Centre, while 59 quit marking Agriculture. Their departure however will not have a major impact on the exercise. Marking is therefore going on smoothly for all the subjects and papers under the new curriculum as originally planned.
The Board is grateful to the over 6,800 Examiners who have exhibited the spirit of patriotism and understanding in this national cause of marking the first cohort of candidates for the New Lower Secondary Curriculum (NLSC).
