Pre-Primary Leaving Exams in Ndorwa West Abruptly Halted by Kabale District Authorities

Kabale: The Pre-Primary Leaving Examinations in Ndorwa West Constituency, Kabale District, which were sponsored by Counsel Eliab Naturinda Mporera, have been abruptly halted after just the first paper.

The exams, intended to be administered across over 70 primary schools, were interrupted following an order from the Kabale District Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office.

The order, communicated through Gomborora Internal Security Officers (GISOs) across the eight sub-counties in Ndorwa West, directed the immediate suspension of the exams. These exams had been publicized across local radio stations in Kabale throughout the past week, with head teachers preparing their schools for the assessments, which officially commenced on October 21, 2024.

This was further reinforced by a message sent via WhatsApp on the Kabale District Local Government Primary School Teachers Forum from the District Education Officer (DEO), claiming the order originated from the Permanent Secretary of Education.

Christopher Niwagaba, head teacher of Rwanceerere Primary School in Butanda Sub-County, confirmed that his school began with the Mathematics exam in the morning of October 21. However, as they prepared for the Social Studies (SST) paper in the afternoon, Niwagaba received a call from the Sub-County Internal Security Officer instructing them to stop the exam, labeling it illegal.

Despite the sudden disruption, Kabale District Education Officer (DEO) Moses Bwengye, when reached by phone, denied having any knowledge of the halting order.

Counsel Eliab Naturinda Mporera, the sponsor of the exams, expressed frustration during a phone interview. He revealed that the idea for the exams came from his friends and elders as a way to address the poor academic performance in Ndorwa West in recent years. Mporera, who is set to contest in the upcoming elections against the incumbent MP Hon. Minister David Bahati, suggested that the halting of the exams was politically motivated.

Efforts to reach the Kabale RDC for comment were unsuccessful, as all known phone numbers were switched off.