KATERERA, RUBIRIZI – UNEB examiners in Rubirizi District have sensitized more than 500 Primary Seven candidates drawn from 15 primary schools in Katerera as part of early preparations for the forthcoming Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
The sensitization meeting was organized by Mwongyera Secondary School in Katerera, aimed at equipping learners with knowledge and skills on how to pass PLE and ensure candidates are fully prepared academically and psychologically before they sit for exams.
*Avoidable Mistakes Costing Marks – Facilitator*
Mr. Zubair Muhwezi, one of the UNEB facilitators from Rubirizi, noted that many learners tend to fail examinations not because they have not studied but because of simple avoidable mistakes that cost them marks.
These mistakes include poor handwriting that examiners cannot read, dirty work full of cancellations and untidiness, poor spellings, ignoring instructions, poor time management and leaving questions unanswered.
> “Many candidates fail not because they do not know the work, but because of avoidable mistakes during examinations,” Muhwezi said.
He explained that UNEB now emphasizes competence-based assessment, clear presentation of work, originality and critical thinking rather than cramming. Marking will now reward well-structured answers and penalize copied work. The team decided to reach out to candidates early, before PLE starts, so they can correct mistakes in time and enter examination room with confidence.
*Mwongyera Secondary Explains Initiative*
According to Mr. Nabimanya Stivin, Headteacher of Mwongyera Secondary School, the school decided to host and organize the special training for over 500 P.7 candidates from 15 primary schools in Katerera to ensure learners joining secondary are well prepared.
He said experts from UNEB came to sensitize, guide and counsel P.7 candidates on how to handle PLE examinations and teach them how to avoid mistakes that make candidates fail.
> “This training will greatly help candidates because many learners fail due to lack of exposure and not understanding how UNEB marks. Guidance on handwriting, neatness, spelling and presentation will help them improve grades and join good secondary schools,” Nabimanya said.
He further appealed to all P.7 candidates in Rubirizi District to take studies seriously, respect teachers, revise hard and avoid bad peer groups. He called upon parents and guardians to continue supporting children during this critical period by providing scholastic materials and moral guidance.
*Candidates Speak Out*
Akansasira Shivan and Tumuramye Gift, some of the P.7 candidates who participated, commended Mwongyera SS and UNEB examiners for organizing the training, saying it will help them perform better.
They said examiners taught them things they did not know before including good handwriting, avoiding dirty work, UNEB marking system, time management, spellings and grammar.
> “We did not know about new changes in UNEB assessment, but now we have been taught that UNEB now wants competence, clear understanding and well-explained answers. The training has given us confidence ahead of PLE,” the candidates said.
*Teachers Welcome Training*
Barigye Urban, a P.7 Teacher at Mwongyera Primary School, said the training is a game-changer for both teachers and learners ahead of PLE.
“Sometimes we teach pupils but don’t know exactly what UNEB wants. The examiners have clearly explained. This knowledge will help us adjust teaching methods to prepare candidates better,” he said.
He promised they will put into practice everything learnt to ensure Rubirizi District performs highly with many first grades this year.
Story compiled by Hon. Tugume Muzafaru, Senior News Reporter in Rubirizi. For media coverage call 0702269259.
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