By: Ikiriza Zephania & Onega Pascal
BULIISA — The Buliisa District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Sylvester Tumukurate, has attributed the district’s poor performance in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) to a combination of parental reluctance, teacher absenteeism, school dropouts, and lack of lunch for learners.
Speaking in an interview with our reporter on Friday morning, Mr. Tumukurate said recent monitoring visits to several primary schools across the district revealed worrying gaps in both teaching and learner support.
He disclosed that some teachers had reportedly abandoned duty for more than a month without authorization, greatly affecting syllabus coverage and learner preparedness. In some extreme cases, he noted, PLE candidates were allegedly picked from their homes on examination days, an indication of poor school attendance and weak parental follow-up.
Cue in Tumukurate on attribution in RR.
“This level of absenteeism among teachers and learners is unacceptable. Education requires commitment from all stakeholders—teachers, parents, and learners alike,” Tumukurate said.
The Deputy RDC further pointed out that many pupils attend school without lunch, which affects concentration and overall academic performance. He called on parents to take greater responsibility in supporting their children’s education, especially by ensuring regular school attendance and provision of basic necessities.
Mr. Tumukurate also urged the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the District Education Department to address teacher motivation, particularly by promoting qualified teachers who have been serving in acting positions for long periods.
“Teachers who are committed and qualified but remain in acting roles for years become demoralized. Promotion would go a long way in improving morale and performance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the District Sports Officer,who is also the acting District Inspector of Schools Mr. Godfrey Muhumuza, has also expressed concern over the district’s declining PLE performance.
According to the official 2025 PLE results, only 48 candidates attained First Grade out of 1,852 candidates who sat for the examinations. This marks a decline compared to 52 First Grades recorded in 2024.
The results further indicate that 730 candidates obtained Second Grade, 507 attained Third Grade, and 296 were awarded Fourth Grade. However, 259 candidates were ungraded, while 12 candidates were reported absent during the examinations.
District leaders have called for joint efforts from education authorities, parents, and teachers to reverse the declining trend and improve academic outcomes in Buliisa.
