The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has appealed to all schools across the country to register pregnant girls and allow them sit for their final examinations. This comes after emergency of several reports indicating an increase in teenage pregnancies during COVID-19 lockdown as schools were closed over five months.
UNEB Executive Secretary Dan Odongo said excluding the girls from sitting their exams would be a “double jeopardy” and further disrupt their future as they hae already been traumatized by pregnacy experiences.
“This will also derail the gains of gender inclusiveness attained so far in reducing the disparity between girls and boys registering for their final examinations, and finishing a given academic cycle,” Odongo said.
“While we do not condone teenage pregnancy, we recognize that most of these girls are victims of circumstances, holding unintended pregnancies,” he added.
Registration for this year’s examinations began on October 22 and will run for five weeks.
According to Odongo, Senior four students will sit for their Uganda Certificate of Education exams starting on March 1, Primary Leaving Exams shall be conducted on 30 and March 31 while Senior 6 candidates will sit for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education exams on April 12.