Dozens of primary school teachers in Soroti have been required to sit the same mock examinations as their pupils before being cleared to mark them.
More than 7,400 candidates across Soroti City and Soroti District sat the end-of-term two mock papers, which are a key preparation for the national Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) due later this year.
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According to the examination committee, teachers were only allowed to mark scripts if they achieved a pass rate of at least 95% on the same papers.
“Out of 7,433 pupils, Soroti City had 3,017 and Soroti District 4,416. Only teachers who successfully attempted the exams and scored above 95% have been appointed to mark,” said Samuel Eceku, chairperson of the Soroti City examinations committee.
Alice Amulen, who heads the district’s examination committee, said the process ran smoothly and that the results will give a clear indication of how pupils might perform in the PLE later this year.
Education officials have also urged schools and parents to ensure pupils make the most of the time remaining before the national exams.
“Some children reported late for the papers, which disrupted them. Parents should send their children early so that they can complete the syllabus,” said Alfred Enyidu, chairperson of Soroti City’s Head Teachers’ Association.
He also warned head teachers against malpractice, stressing the need to maintain professionalism during the marking and administration of examinations.
Pupils in Soroti now have just two months left to prepare for the national assessments.
The practice of testing teachers has previously been used elsewhere. Last year in Nakaseke District, 51 teachers from underperforming schools were examined by local education officials after poor PLE results, a move that provoked mixed reactions.
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