The assistant commissioner private schools who represented the permanent secretary from the ministry of education has today launched the two-day senior five selection/placement exercise, with over 870 government / government aided secondary schools expected to participate and over 1,172 private secondary schools to offer A Level curriculum.

According to the education ministry permanent secretary’s speech read out by the assistant commissioner private schools policy regulations, Mulindwa Ismael the former called sensitizing of the stuff on government policies.

This was at the first day of the exercise that happened at UMA show grounds in Kampala.

Following the Education minister, Janet Museveni’s release of the UCE results and the announcement of the dates for senior 4 selection exercise last week, the education ministry has today commenced the two-Day senior 5 candidate placement exercise at UMA showgrounds.

The assistant commissioner highlighted what the selection exercise pertains.

With over 870 government/government aided schools and a total of 1,172 private schools expected to participate in the exercise, some of the heads of the involved schools showed up to ensure they did the needful. Some of these noted that they decided their cutoff points basing on their institution’s catchment area, and the overall performance of the pupils which was not so good.

The assistant commissioner private school’s policy regulations, MOE&S, Mulindwa Ismael reading out the PS, Ketty Lamaro’s speech advocated for schools to regularly sensitize their staff on government policies, laws and regulations

According to the chairperson placement committee, they are placing 236,280 students into secondary schools both private and public, the remaining 93,659 will be absorbed in the 87 government TVET institutions and to over 700 private tvet institutions across the country.

Mulindwa noted government’s intention is to improve the learning environment in schools across the country

Despite consideration of the challenges expressed and the recent request made by the education ministry to schools to desist from increasing their fees and charges, the assistant commissioner, Mulindwa resounded the warning to schools not to defy the restriction.

However, they noted that it has been agreed with the ministry of education not to increase fees for the students as they start off with school.

Speaking about the issue of teachers’ salary delay and intentions by government to fulfill the pledge, Mulindwa noted that the teachers are paid on time without any excuses.

The selection exercise started today, 26^th February and is expected to end tomorrow, 27^th February, 2024, and schools are anticipated to open for the senior 5 on 4^th  march, 2024.