Boy riding through heavy rains to sit Primary Leaving Examinations in 2019. Image source: The Independent Uganda
Primary Leaving Examinations results were released a few weeks ago. It is a different reaction from homestead to homestead, school to school, and district to district. The case was not any different from my time in 2013 when I received my results, as I had studied at one of the best catholic schools in Kabale but was barely known in the city. It is not like if I told a kid in my first year of high school that I went to SMAGO vis a vis; I went to KPS, or Quality, or Sir Apollo, they would comprehend where I am from. I scored 5 aggregates and was offered a choice between Namugongo and Namagunga. I had been caned enough in primary, so Namagunga, where the probability of ever getting caned was 0, was my best decision. I was also gifted a blanket from the school as a gift for excelling. With this year's results coming out, different media influencers have used their platforms to comfort those that did not make it to first grade or did not perform as expected. They are reminiscing on their own stories with comparisons to where they are now or relating to their life stories which is a spirit of Ubuntu. Very commendable. But let's not misguide the current generation that it is okay to fail and present excuses to justify that. Mark my words right…if you did not excel in Primary Leaving Examinations, it is okay; that does not make you a failure. It is okay to console these kids, but implausible when we lose direction and question why we celebrate the best students. I do understand what poor performance means. In my high school final exams, I was among the poor-performing students. I fell into a long spell of depression. They indeed need all the comfort you can offer.
The effect of Hollywood beyond social life is underestimated. High school or school-related movies in developed countries is depicted as an easy do. You can get an E and still be the wealthiest kid, or it is normal. Scenes of kids making wood products at a young age and all that fancy stuff while our children in our system are busy studying the alphabet and the slave trade. It is all the crazy good stuff to think about until you can interact with the system. They also study the same stuff regardless of videos showing them making calculators. They also sing the alphabet. They also learn verbs, vowels, addition, and subtraction. They also applaud the best students; after all, Harvard will not admit someone with a C over a straight-A student. Hollywood movies have made it seem like education in developed countries is laissez-faire and grades do not matter. Still, the reality is that grades matter. It is okay to tell that child that PLE will never matter in job searching or bill payment, but remember to remind them that the following stages matter, or they can define their path using their education.
It's a yearly occurrence to have the front page of most media printouts covered with bet performing students
Education in Ireland is nearly free. Why would someone even be under pressure to study, given such conditions? More good news is if you are from a 3rd world country, you receive funding for your education. It's not free funding; you must maintain a certain CGPA. Why do the best always get the good stuff? Why do we celebrate the employee of the match? Why does Nile Special give an envelope of appreciation to the man of the game (in rugby), yet everyone has contributed to the team's success? Why is Ronaldo called a GOAT, yet Iker Casillas is rarely fronted as a GOAT? Are they all not contributing to the success of their teams in their respective roles? It's the World!
A friend attended Mbarara Municipal Primary school. At that time, they had a system of grouping students in classes according to their level of performance. He was from another Universal Primary Education (UPE) school in the village. He did not have the best English but had the best math concepts. Soon his English caught up, and he was promoted to sit in the same classroom with the brightest kids. Mbarara Municipal had a scholarship system for the best student in class, which he failed to get as he always came in second as an academic giant. Fast forward, while grazing cattle on his father's farm in Mbarara, the father receives a call from Radio West. His son was the best in the whole country with four aggregates. He was on top of the New Vision cover the next day. His prayer for a UGX 100,000 scholarship at primary level was converted into a UGX 1M+ scholarship at Ntare School. Yes, we need to celebrate the best. Let's not tear someone down for being a good performer. Matthew 25:29 says, "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have abundance;.." Where is the lie? Let schools, families, and individuals celebrate their success regardless of the level they are at.
Every Friday, I have to submit my academic results to my coach. If I fall under a certain GPA, my hall time(reading) hours will be increased. My sports will be on life support. My transfer credits will not be appetizing to front. Mention any top athletes that built their careers on only sports with disregard to education. Academics matters. It's okay to downplay PLE because it does not contribute to your weight as you join University to pursue that particular course you have always wanted, but do not be blinded by Senior Four or Senior Six. A local gospel musician once sang, "PLE is different from UCE, but the level of joy and happiness can be explained by only those that have excelled at those levels." Let those that have excelled rejoice. It is true that many people and many more will be successful (and have been successful) with the worst academic history. Just do your part as a student and focus on getting your best. If you choose to join a vocational school, still do your best. A partnership between your school and the best plumbing business in the district will not come looking for the student that bends pipes at the wrong angles all the time. It will select the best. So give it all your best, and whatever comes out, you have played your part.
Allow those who have excelled to rejoice, and please create safe spaces for those who have not performed to their best to cry and express their remorse or fears. Both of them have valid reasons. Focus on what lies ahead!
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