Head teachers in government schools in Bukomansimbi district have raised concerns about the costly essential chemicals needed for science practicals during the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams.
As the UCE exams began, schools in Bukomansimbi district, including St. Victor’s Senior Secondary School Kitaasa, Bukomansimbi Secondary School, and St. Peter’s SS Kisojjo, are facing a shortage of necessary chemicals for Chemistry practicals. The high prices of these chemicals are a significant challenge, impacting both students and teachers.
Mr. Ssenyonga Gervazio, the head teacher at St. Victor’s SS Kitaasa, stated that the high chemical costs and limited funds are severely affecting the teaching of science subjects in the district. He emphasized that this situation harms the education system because practicals should ideally be integrated into the curriculum from the early years to better prepare students.
Nakaliisa Mariam, head teacher at Bukomansimbi Secondary School, expressed similar concerns, noting that the increased chemical prices are causing financial burdens for both schools and parents. The inflated prices are leading to difficulties for students, with some unable to pay school fees.
In response to these challenges, the head teachers are calling on the government to provide support by subsidizing the costs of these essential chemicals, similar to the support provided for textbooks. They believe that this assistance would help students in Bukomansimbi compete on an equal footing with their peers from other schools in terms of science education.
Mr. Zziwa Patrick, the Bukomansimbi District Education Officer, acknowledged their concerns and urged schools to plan effectively to ensure that students can still take their exams this year. He also expressed hope that discussions with the Ministry of Education could lead to long-term solutions.
In Bukomansimbi, a total of 1,264 candidates are sitting for the UCE exams this year, including 688 girls and 576 boys. However, 13 candidates, comprising 9 girls and 4 boys, have not appeared for the exams, and the reasons for their absence are being investigated.
Looking back, this year marks the 12th year since Bukomansimbi became a separate district, following its split from Masaka in 2010. In 2010, the district celebrated notable success with 123 first grades out of 1,241 candidates who took their UCE exams.
The challenges posed by the high prices of chemicals are creating difficulties for this year’s UCE exams in Bukomansimbi, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to ensure quality science education for the district’s students.
