PLE SPECIAL: How selected schools in Lango have excelled

Several factors have contributed to private schools’ superior performance in Lira City and throughout the Lango sub-region in the recently released Primary Leaving Examinations.

One factor stands out: the teachers’ motivation by school administrators. Despite the government’s provision of free primary education (UPE), the popularity of private schools continues to rise, posing both a viable alternative and a challenge to UPE.

The aforementioned factors, as well as others, have contributed to outstanding performance in final examinations. As in previous years, private schools in Lango have shone.

2024 PLE results 

On January 23, the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) handed over the results to Janet Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports, who officially released them.

Last year, 797,444 candidates signed up for the final exams. Read more here.

Schools that have excelled include St. Kizito Nursery and Primary School and St. Gracious Boarding and Day School.

Leo Elem, the principal of St. Gracious, expressed his satisfaction with the PLE results, stating that all candidates from their schools can now advance to the next educational level.

Elem stated that 30 candidates from St. Gracious Boarding School in Barapwo received Division One, while 78 out of 90 candidates at their day school received Division One. Twelve secured Division Two.

This represents an improvement over the previous year, when they had 93 candidates, he said.

He attributed the success to St. Gracious’ management, who ensured that all necessary learning materials were provided on time. He reassured parents that the foundation for these commendable results is laid early, beginning in the nursery.

St. Kizito Nursery and Primary School, a Catholic school established by the Lira Diocese, has achieved the highest ranking in Lira City. Out of 154 candidates, 153 passed with Division One, while one passed with Division Two (a score of 13).

Notably, five candidates received perfect scores of four aggregates.

Rev. Sister Atayo, the headteacher, stated that while the results are commendable, there is still room for improvement. She emphasized the commitment to improving performance by 2025 and expressed pride in the efforts of teachers, parents, and management, all of whom contributed to positive results.

With divine blessings, she is optimistic about continued success.

Other private institutions, such as Mantle Day and Boarding Primary School, outperformed government-aided schools in Lira City. They reported that 119 out of 145 registered candidates passed with Division One and 26 with Division Two.

Mantle’s headteacher, Sam Obote, confirmed that the results are a significant improvement over previous years, noting that one candidate received a perfect score of five.

He stated that preparations are already being made to ensure continued excellence in the upcoming results.

Daylight Nursery and Primary School, located in Boroboro East Ward, Lira City East Division, also demonstrated impressive performance, producing 44 learners in Division One and 7 in Division Two out of 51 candidates.

The deputy headteacher, James Ogwang, clarified that their success can be attributed to strong collaboration among parents, teachers, and students, which fostered a conducive learning environment, resulting in these positive outcomes.

Other government-aided schools that excelled included Adyel Boarding Day and Primary School, which had over 83 Division One candidates and only 64 Division Two candidates out of 147.

Isaac Otoa, the headteacher, praised the results and attributed their success to the efforts of over 20 parent teachers and 25 government teachers.

Otoa noted that the foundation laid in Primary One has had a positive impact on the results when compared to those in 2023.

At Eila Olet Primary School, 9 of the 53 registered candidates received first grade, 41 received second grade, and 3 received third grade. This achievement is attributed to the headteacher, Sarah Aol.

She is also the vice president of the Uganda Primary School Sports Association.

Aol praised the collaborative efforts of parents, teachers, and learners in achieving the positive outcomes.

“This is merely the beginning and we’re hopeful for even better outcomes in the future.”

According to Aol, Uganda Technical College (UTC) Lira provides visionary leadership for the school. Despite challenges with staff quarters, her dedication to teaching remains unwavering, she said.

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At VH Public Schools, there is a decline in performance compared to the previous year. VH had 160 candidates but only secured 52 in Division One, 102 in Division Two, and one in Division Three.

This school has previously been recognized for producing commendable results across the Lango sub-region.

Aber Primary School in Oyam South has done better than previous years. Out of 55 candidates, 33 got Division Two, 13 in Division Three, and five in Division Four.

The best candidate had an aggregate score of 14, followed by 16, 17, 18, and 19.

Jerusalem nursery and primary school in Adyeda B cell, Eastern ward, Loro Town Council got 6 candidates in Divion Two, and 5 in Division 3.

The best candidates got agg 14. Ceaser Agwe, a teacher said “the result is promising because it was our first time of sitting UNEB.”