Otuke, Uganda | Headteachers in Otuke District are under pressure after several schools failed to register Division One in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), prompting district leaders to demand accountability and improvement plans.
The matter came to light on Saturday during a ceremony at Otuke District Local Government headquarters where Otuke East County MP Julius Acon Bua rewarded 28 candidates who scored Division One in both Otuke East and Otuke County constituencies.
The learners received metallic boxes and mattresses in recognition of their performance.
According to district results, 28 candidates passed in Division One, 728 in Division Two and 204 in Division Three, while only a few failed to reach the pass mark.
However, out of the district’s 45 government-aided primary schools, only eight produced Division One candidates.
Speaking at the event, Otuke District Education Officer (DEO), Acheng Lucy, said her office had received communication from the Ministry of Education and Sports directing districts to take action against schools that registered a majority of candidates in Division U and X.
She explained that the directive requires headteachers of poorly performing schools to institute performance support and improvement plans and to account for persistent low grades.
The district LC5 chairperson, Francis Abola, warned that he would not endorse the transfer of headteachers whose schools have consistently failed to produce first grades.
He said communities would be reluctant to accept such headteachers and stressed the need to safeguard standards in schools.
Abola added that the district plans to strengthen supervision and may interdict long-serving headteachers whose performance remains unsatisfactory.
Onyek Patrick, Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS) to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), proposed that the district should also recognise and reward headteachers whose schools performed well and encourage them to share best practices with colleagues in order to improve overall performance.
In his remarks, Acon said his initiative was intended to motivate learners across the district regardless of whether they attended private or government-aided schools.
He noted that his colleagues, Otuke County MP Omara Paul and Woman MP Susan Abeja, were aware of the initiative.
He emphasised the need for unity among leaders and cooperation to uplift education standards in the district.
He further pledged to extend the rewards scheme to top performers in UCE and UACE in the coming years.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Olinga Joshua of Barjobi Primary School and Omiji Vincent of Anepmoroto Primary School, said the items received would ease the burden on their parents as they transition to secondary school.
District leaders said they expect new measures to improve performance and ensure that more schools register Division One candidates in future examinations.
