Zombo school administration on spot for denying pupils promotional exams
The committee has since demanded the school administer fresh exams for the affected pupils.
Zombo: Administrators of Lwala Primary School in Warr Town Council, Zombo District, are facing sharp criticism after allegedly denying 159 primary one pupils the opportunity to sit for their promotional examinations.
Reports indicate that the affected pupils were barred from the exams due to unpaid examination fees. While the exact amount charged remains unclear, this decision has sparked outrage among parents and local authorities.
An impromptu inspection by councilors under the district’s Committee of Social Services revealed that out of 226 primary one learners, only 67 sat the exams, while 159 were excluded. The committee has since demanded the school administer fresh exams for the affected pupils.
Sadiki Onencan, Chairperson of the committee, expressed his disappointment. “This is highly detrimental to the future of these children. The committee has ordered the school authorities to re-administer the exams for the affected learners.”
Parents speak out
Parents have decried the increasing number of fees, citing challenges in affording them. A parent identified as Agenonga lamented: “The fees are too many exam fees, mock fees, development fees, PTA fees. Many of us are poor, and it’s becoming unmanageable.”
Another parent, Agness Acikani, criticized the abrupt introduction of additional charges, making it hard for families to cope. Meanwhile, Philip Kwonga, whose child was affected, suggested a more lenient approach stressing that they should have allowed the children to sit for exams and withheld results until payments were made.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the school administration were unsuccessful. However, Zombo District Education Officer Nicolas Odeba condemned the practice, stating it violates the Education Act and government policy.
He noted that government capitation grants are meant to cover learner assessments, particularly for students from poor backgrounds.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Bruno Manano threatened arrests for administrators engaging in such acts, reiterating that government policy opposes barring students from exams due to unpaid fees.
School administrators, however, argue that the capitation grant is insufficient to cover all operational needs, leading to the reliance on additional fees.
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