The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has expressed disappointment over the actions of a headteacher to refuse students sitting their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) final exams.
On Tuesday, the nation was shocked after it emerged that 15 candidates from Iganga Top Care Secondary School were blocked from sitting for their final UACE paper on Monday November 11, 2019 due to non-payment of outstanding school fees balances.
“UNEB’s position on this matter has been that if a school is able to tolerate the defaulting candidates to stay in school until the date of the examinations, then such candidates should be allowed to write their examinations. The Board has always advised that school fees and any other outstanding school dues must be collected way before UNEB examinations begin,” a UNEB statement issued on Tuesday says.
Pictures of students breaking down after being blocked have been circulating on social media sites with many Ugandans condemning the actions of the school.
“We, therefore think that the action taken by the Head teacher of Iganga Top Care SS was inappropriate and goes against the guidelines provided by UNEB,” the examinations body says.
It adds that the students were later allowed to sit for the exams.
UNEB has since advised parents and teachers to always find ways to settle their fees obligations before commencement of the national final exams.
