Assessment body Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) is having to answer questions on the credibility of the grading system for results it releases, including the recently commissioned 2023 PLE results, after reports of leaked marked papers.
The recent allegations against Uneb’s PLE grading system stems from a screenshot shared in which a parent claims he had worked through a now reportedly retired official from the assessment body to access his daughter’s marked scripts whose marks did not tally with the final grades assigned.
Uneb executive secretary and director Dan Odongo has dismissed the claims first made by a parent in 2018 as “untrue.”
“We wish to inform the public that the alleged scores of a candidate said to have been given a wrong grade do not apply to the recently released 2023 PLE results. We have reached out to the author of the original message, who confirms that he first wrote the message in 2018 and shared it on a forum, where members took screen shots that they shared,” explained Uneb’s Odongo.
“He says his daughter, whose identity he does not disclose, is now studying in the equivalent of Senior Five in some international system. He also does not disclose the person who allegedly helped him access the scripts of his daughter, but claims the person retired from the Board already. This story is untrue.”
He also dismissed claims that it was easy to access candidates marked and unmarked scripts.
“UNEB’s Grading System is Credible Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) hereby notifies the public that all messages circulating on social media questioning UNEB’s grading system, indicating that the grading is selective; and, that candidates’ scripts can be easily accessed, are a hoax and should be disregarded,” wrote Odongo.
“Accessing candidates’ scripts is highly restricted with tight security measures due to the sensitivity and complexities around the scripts. Any person who purports to have seen their child’s scripts and the raw marks is therefore making false claims.”
He then went on to assure candidates, guardians and parents of the credibility of the grading system. He said there was no discrimination based on location and region in the grading system as alleged.
“In furtherance of this notice, the Board reassures the public that the grading system is uniform and, is in tandem with the set quality assurance procedures without any discrimination on any basis-regional, urban or rural,” the Uneb boss noted.
“As such, any allegation of unfair advantage of some candidates over others is malicious propaganda, baseless, and should be treated with utmost contempt. UNEB conducts valid, reliable, equitable and quality assessment of Learners’ achievement in a professional and innovative manner, and awards internationally recognised certificates.”
Meanwhile, you can see the best performing schools in 2023 PLE in the whole country, in Western Uganda and in Buganda Here, There and Over There.
You can read about Uneb’s response on reports regarding the 2023 UCE results release date Here.
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