The senior five student selection process began yesterday, February 23rd, at the Uganda Manufacturers Association Exhibition Hall in Kampala.
A number of schools have raised the entry points for senior five, owing to improved performance in the Uganda Certificate of Education Examinations last year (UCE).
However, some schools have lowered their cut-off points, while others have maintained their current levels due to capacity.
The ministry has invited over 1,200 head teachers from public and private schools to participate in the two-day selection process.
According to the Education Ministry Selection Committee, a body in charge of placements, 329,939 students sat the UCE examination last year, with 221,400 going to government aided schools and 108,539 going to private schools and Technical Vocational Education and Training institutions.
According to Dr. Jane Egau-Okou, chairperson of the ministry selection committee, selection is done on merit and is based on the candidate’s choices and performance in S4.
During the selection process, Ketty Lamaro, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, reiterated that schools should not violate the directive of raising school fees because the S5 team has yet to begin.
“We have still noted that some schools have defiant this guidance and have increased fees even without the permission of the ministry.
“We’re gathering evidence, and we’ll deal with these obstinate schools appropriately,” she said.
The government urged schools to be cautious when assigning courses to students who have qualified on merit because their future is heavily influenced by the subject combinations they choose at A’level.
The government has encouraged schools to be more vigilant against homosexuality.