3 Candidates Give Birth During Primary Leaving Examinations

By Gad Masereka

During the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) period in Serere District, three candidates from separate primary schools have given birth, according to the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb).

Ms. Jennifer Kalule, the Uneb spokesperson, revealed that one of these candidates gave birth just yesterday afternoon. Ms. Kalule stated that, “We have so far three babies that have been reported. One of them was delivered this afternoon. The candidate wrote the morning paper but in the afternoon, after writing her name on the answer sheets, she got labor pains. She was isolated, and she delivered her baby.”

After the delivery, the candidate was provided with an additional 45 minutes to compensate for her circumstantial impairment and was able to complete her paper successfully. Another candidate gave birth about six days ago and was allowed to attend school with her mother to take care of the baby. The third baby was born in Serere a month ago.

Moreover, the ongoing heavy rains and slippery roads in various districts partially contributed to the delayed delivery of PLE papers to some schools, leading to an approximately one-hour delay in the start of the examination. The candidates began with the Mathematics Paper in the morning, followed by Social Studies and Religious Education in the afternoon.

In Wakiso, Mr. Fredrick Kiyingi, the district education officer, mentioned that some staff had to resort to riding on motorcycles to deliver the exam papers on time, despite Uneb’s warning against transporting examination papers on motorcycles. At Temple Junior School in Kyengera Town Council, candidates commenced the first paper after 11 am, which was notably delayed from the stipulated 9 am start time.