Summary:

• Hoima City authorities have attributed the poor performance in several primary schools in the area to high rate of absenteeism among learners and understaffing in most government aided schools.

Hoima City authorities have attributed the poor performance in several primary schools in the area to high rate of absenteeism among learners and understaffing in most government aided schools.

According to the recently released the PLE results for Hoima City, of the 3399 candidates who sat for the 2023 PLE, 627 candidates passed in first division, 1690 in division two, 535 in division three, 231 in fourth grade, 276 in U and 40 candidates registered but didn’t do the exams.

Johnson Kusiima Baigana, the principal education officer Hoima city say the city has since 2018 failed to fill the 41 teaching gaps, with the number growing each day.

Kusiima adds that in the 2023 academic year, the performance of learners continued to dwindle since many learners did not take part in continuous assessments after the State House Anti-Corruption Unit the previous year grilled head teachers over soliciting funds from leaners to enable them procure such assessments.

He however advises parents to take their children who failed PLE last year to engage in skilling programs saying they are currently the way to go.

Achilles Kiiza, the secretary for education and health Hoima City Council says the staffing gap will be no more once the public service ministry lifts the ban on recruitment of staff.

Kiiza advised parents to provide their children with scholastic materials and lunch at school adding that there is also need for parents to pay utility funds among others to better the performance of learners.