Pregnancy, Marriage, and Other Factors Disrupt UCE Exams in Koboko

The first day of the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations in Koboko District saw a concerning number of registered candidates absent from their exam centers. Reports indicate that a minimum of 12 female students failed to appear for their papers, a situation attributed to a range of personal challenges.

At Nyai Secondary School, the deputy head teacher reported that one registered female candidate did not show up for her exams. The student had become pregnant during her studies, and despite efforts to encourage her to sit for the papers after giving birth, she remained absent.

Other schools in the district also reported similar issues. Koboko Parents Secondary School had one candidate who passed away after registration. At Padrombo Seed Secondary School, all but one of the 218 registered candidates were present. Koboko Town College reported two absences, with one student reportedly having moved to South Sudan and the whereabouts of the other unknown.

Head teachers across Koboko have identified early marriage and a general loss of hope among learners as significant contributors to the absenteeism. For some students from South Sudan, a return to their home country also played a role.

At Nyarilo Secondary School, the largest examination center in the district, two candidates missed the Mathematics paper. One of these was a female student who had recently married, while the other was reportedly ill.

Overall, 2,208 candidates are registered to sit for their UCE examinations across 16 centers in Koboko District. The absences highlight the social and personal challenges faced by students in the region, impacting their educational pursuits.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)