Uneb needs Shs2bn for marking exams

KAMPALA- Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) has postponed marking of Senior Six examinations, citing lack of funds to pay examiners.Mr Hamis Kaheru, the Uneb spokesperson, said although they had completed marking Primary Leaving Examinations and Uganda Certificate of Education, they had failed to pay teachers who participated in the exercise.Uneb resolved to postpone marking Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education until the Ministry of Education finds the money.This means that when schools open on February 4 before marking is completed, it will not be possible to do it until May when students break off for first term holiday since some of these schools are used as marking centres.Furthermore, teachers will not leave their schools to mark exams as the term will be in progress. At least Shs2b is needed to conclude the exercise before the release of the examination results.However, Mr Kaheru said they met Education ministry officials on Thursday, who promised to give them Shs500m this week. He added that the money they were promised cannot clear examiners who marked PLE. A-Level examiners were supposed to report on December 29. Uneb sent them messages on their phones not to come but some teachers did not get them and they reported. They were refunded their money yesterday and asked to return home until further notice.There are 32,000 A-Level examiners. Uneb had targeted to release PLE on January 15, O-Level results at the end of January while A-Level exams were expected in mid-February.Education Minister Jessica Alupo yesterday appealed to Uneb officials to use the money they have been given so that work is not disrupted as they wait for more funds in January. “They were given Shs590m last week to help continue with their work. The balance will be given in the second week of January.” Senior Six candidates pay Shs80,000 as registration fee for the examinations. According to Uneb officials, the money is not enough and more government support is needed.