MALUKU – During a high-stakes District Education Stakeholders’ meeting held today at Lukhobo Hall, the Mbale Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Bayole Stanley, issued a stern warning to school heads regarding financial mismanagement and teacher absenteeism following a disappointing dip in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results.
The meeting brought together the LCV Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Ministry officials, headteachers, and PTA chairpersons to chart a way forward for the district's struggling education sector.
The Inspector of Schools, Mr. Walufu Asadi, presented a sobering analysis of the 2025 PLE performance. While the district successfully registered 5,344 candidates, the data revealed a sharp decline in key areas compared to the previous year.
Mr. Walufu confirmed that while most results are accessible via school portals, the results for Nambwa Primary School remain withheld by UNEB as investigations into potential irregularities continue.
The Deputy CAO, Madam Juliet Cheptoek, urged school management committees and PTA chairpersons to become the "first line of defence" for school properties.
She emphasized that by protecting existing infrastructure, the district can redirect funds from renovations toward new construction.
Madam Cheptoek highlighted the recently launched water project at Nabumali High School, urging the headteacher, Madam Nabudde, to mentor other schools’ headteachers on how to lobby for similar life-changing projects.
Taking the floor as the Guest of Honour, RDC Mr. Bayole Stanley didn't mince words. While he thanked the stakeholders for their political support, he insisted that the focus must now shift entirely to service delivery.
"Put politics aside and concentrate on productive work," Mr. Bayole urged. "Absenteeism is killing our performance. Headteachers must be keen on teachers who dodge work; it is the learners who suffer the consequences."
He gave warning against the misuse of UPE and USE funds. Money must be used for its intended purpose—improving the learner's environment. He reminded staff that government transfers are a normal part of the profession and should be embraced as an opportunity for growth.
Despite the performance gaps, he lauded the government for massive investments, specifically citing the new classroom blocks and two science laboratories commissioned at Namawanga SSS.
The District Education Officer thanked the participants for their massive turnout, noting that "cooperation is the only way to ease the burden on the education system." The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to improve monitoring and evaluation across all schools in Mbale district.
By herbert
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