A group of 56 teachers assigned to mark Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Senior Four exam scripts have walked away from their duties, citing dissatisfaction with the low payment they were offered.

The teachers, who were stationed at Namugongo Secondary and Vocational School Centre, argued that UNEB’s pay of UGX 950 per script is insufficient given the demanding nature of marking under the new lower secondary curriculum. They stated that they deserve at least UGX 1,500 per script to match the workload and effort required.

Jennifer Kalule, the UNEB spokesperson, confirmed the departure of the 56 examiners, noting that attempts to negotiate with them were unsuccessful.

“We are aware that 56 examiners have left the marking centre. UNEB engaged them in discussions, but they chose to step away. However, we have enough examiners remaining to ensure that the marking process continues without interruption,” Kalule stated.

UNEB assured the public that the marking exercise would proceed as planned, emphasizing that the large pool of examiners initially invited was sufficient to handle the workload despite the protest.

The disgruntled teachers revealed that this is not the first time they have raised concerns about low pay. They highlighted that past appeals to UNEB to improve compensation for exam marking have gone unanswered.

“We have repeatedly asked UNEB to revise the pay for marking scripts, but nothing has changed. This time, we decided to leave instead of working under such poor conditions,” one examiner said.

The walkout has put a spotlight on the working conditions of examiners in Uganda. While UNEB insists that the remaining examiners are capable of completing the marking process, the incident raises questions about the long-term sustainability of relying on underpaid teachers to manage critical national assessments.

The UNEB governing board is expected 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 issue.