Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC), Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom, has reminded teachers to prioritise their vocation and monitor learners. albeit in an unusual way.
“There is a public misconception that poor performance in schools is associated with the low salaries that the government pays you,” he began, “That is a lame excuse. Go and teach because the government pays you to teach, and if you don’t want, leave instead of wasting taxpayers’ money,” Ongom said.
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“Being a government worker is a commitment, and no one forced you to apply for a teaching job. So, do it with one heart and willingly because we can’t keep on paying you when our young Ugandans are not studying,” Ongom emphasised.
The RDC also blamed teacher absenteeism for poor performance by learners under government’s Universal Primary
A total of 188 candidates failed their 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in Rukungiri District, authorities have said, partially attributing poor performance to teacher absenteeism.
“Out of 6,686 registered candidates, 713 passed in division one, 3,690 in division two, 1,622 in division three, and 395 in division four, while 188 failed completely,” Rukungiri District Principal Inspector of Schools Lydia Tushemerirwe revealed on Monday during the official presentation of the 2024 PLE results at the district council hall.
“This time we tried. I’m sorry for those who failed and the 78 candidates who missed their exams. I want to encourage them that failing the exam is not the end of the world. Let them try their luck in other spheres of the world,” she said.
Tracy Asiimwe, the Rukungiri District clerk who represented the Chief Administrative Officer, pledged the district’s continued support for schools to enhance their operations.
“We promise to keep working with you school head teachers for the betterment of our schools across the district,” Asiimwe said.
On her part, District Education Secretary Caledonia Bakyironda said: “Guiding pupils on question interpretation and answering questions fosters creativity and better performance. This is where most learners begin to fail their examinations. So, head teachers go and work on this issue because it is very important.”
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