The Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) has confirmed that 56 examiners have stopped marking exam papers because of low pay. The examiners were receiving only UGX 950 for each script they marked and had asked for a pay increase to UGX 1,500.
Jennifer Kalule, UNEB’s spokesperson, said attempts to negotiate with the examiners were not successful. The examiners abandoned the marking center at Namugongo Secondary and Vocational School on December 16, 2024, claiming the payment did not reflect the hard work involved, especially with the new lower secondary curriculum.
“We know that 56 examiners have left the marking center. UNEB spoke with them, but they chose to leave. However, we have enough examiners left to continue marking without delays,” Kalule stated.
Despite the walkout, UNEB assured the public that the marking process will continue smoothly. The board emphasized that there are enough examiners available to handle the workload.
Some of the protesting teachers said this issue is not new. They have raised concerns about low pay before but have not seen any changes.
“We have repeatedly asked UNEB to pay us better, but nothing has changed. This time, we chose to walk away instead of working in such poor conditions,” stated one of the examiners.
The situation has highlighted the challenges faced by examiners in Uganda. While UNEB believes the remaining examiners can manage the marking, the incident raises concerns about whether underpaid teachers can continue to manage important national assessments.
Stakeholders expect the UNEB governing board to review the matter and take appropriate steps to prevent further disruptions during this crucial period. Teachers, however, remain firm in their demand for fair compensation, calling for a permanent solution to the ongoing issues.
