The primary education system in Uganda is structured to run in seven cycles; P.1 to P.7, but when a parent decides to pick which primary school is fit for their child, all they care about are the chances of the child performing well in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
What that means is actually not only passing in first grade but also scoring highly with a target of scoring a first distinction (D1) in each subject (aggregate 4) in order to secure admission at the country’s top-ranked secondary schools.
And as the reopening of the 2024 academic calendar nears to begin on February, a mini-survey carried out by DailyExpress on the performance of schools in the recently released 2023 PLE Results looks at some of the best primary schools in the country where your child is guaranteed first-class education and of course a first grade.
The schools ranked in this list are known for their commitment to academic achievement and character development, shaping the future leaders of the nation, and with a range of educational philosophies, strong academic traditions and values, have earned their reputation as some of the top primary schools in the Western region.
Top 10 best primary schools in Western Uganda based on the quality of education and their 2023 PLE performance.
- St Mukasa Preparatory Seminary Mushanga
- Parental Care Nursery and Primary School – Bushenyi
- Tooro Parents Education Centre
- Ntandi SDA Integrated PS
- Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery Primary School
- Mbarara Junior School
- Pearl Junior School Bushenyi
- Endiinzi Parent’s Primary School
- St. Kagwa Primary School, Bushenyi
- Mbarara Preparatory School
1. St Mukasa Preparatory Seminary Mushanga: Saint Mukasa Seminary Primary School located in Kibingo Town Council, Sheema Municipality leads the chart for the top primary schools in Western Uganda. In the recently released P.7 results, the school notched a 100% excellent performance with all 119 pupils passing in Division One (First Grade).
2. Parental Care Nursery and Primary School – Bushenyi: Bushenyi Municipality’s best primary school – Parental Care Nursery and Primary School known for its unmated quality education in the area offers holistic primary education with a strong emphasis on values and pupil’s personal development for their academic progress.
Parental Care has both nursery and primary sections running from Baby class straight up to Primary seven and in the recent PLE results, the school excelled with a 99% passing in First Grade (89/90). Only one student in second grade. DailyExpress exclusively learnt that at Parental Care, aggregate 4 is the target for all P.7 candidates and the returning performance in the national examinations is evidence of this.
Parents of pupils at Parental Care appreciate the outstanding care, guidance and exceptional support their children receive including those with special educational needs.
The school recently won the Continental debate competition and will be representing Uganda and Africa at large at the World Schools Debating Championships in Czech Republic.
All this explains why Parental Care stands out as one of the best offering first-class education in the Western region.
3. Tooro Parents Education Centre: Located in Fort Portal in Western Uganda, Tooro Parents Education Centre has set a name in offering first-class education in the western region and undoubtedly stands out as one of the best schools in the region for the best primary education for your child.
In 2023 PLE Results, the school just like St Mukasa Mushanga returned a 100% performance as all 115 pupils excelled in the first grade with only single digits (4-9 aggregates).
4. Ntandi SDA Integrated PS: Ntandi Integrated Primary School is a Seventh-day Adventist School located in Kasitu, Bughendera, Bundibugyo District. In the 2023 PLE Results, Ntandi SDA excelled at 98%, with 84 of the 86 pupils passing in first grade.
The school was not only the best in the district but also ranked fourth among the top 10 best primary schools in western Uganda.
5. Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery Primary School: Located in Kabale Municipality, southwestern Uganda, Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery Primary School had 97 out of its 100 candidates passing in the first grade, representing a percentage pass of 97% demonstrating a stellar performance which parents can use as a benchmark to take their children for the best primary school education.
6. Mbarara Junior School: Mbarara Junior School, one of the oldest schools is one of the best-performing schools in western Uganda. In the 2023 PLE, the school scored a 96% passing rate in first grade, which is very much impeccable given that 14 years ago, they were just fighting to restore the lost glory days.
Mbarara Junior School is a grade one mixed, day and boarding school, fully registered with the Uganda Ministry of Education. The school is located about 2 Km from Mbarara City on Ishaka-Bushenyi road, just after Mbarara High School and St. James Cathedral Ruharo.
7. Pearl Junior School Bushenyi: Ranked second-best in Bushenyi after Parental Care P/S, Pearl Junior School-Bushenyi will not only teach your child to excel academically but also model the child to develop morally upright with the highest sense of hard work, humility and confidence. The school’s academic performance puts the school among the top performers in the country.
8. Endiinzi Parent’s Primary School: Endiinzi Parent’s Primary School is Insingiro’s best primary school and one of the best in the whole of Western Uganda. Endiinzi Parent’s returned an excellent performance in the recent PLE Results with 93% of its candidates in first grade, and no wonder parents in Insingiro are flooding the school for mass registration of their children for the best education it offers.
9. St. Kagwa Primary School, Bushenyi: St. Kagwa Boarding Primary School in Busheny Municipality highly excelled in the 2023 PLE results with more than 90% of the pupils passing in first grade and only a handful getting a second grade.
10. Mbarara Preparatory School: Mbarara Preparatory School, was founded by one Winnie Mpaabwa (aka Teacher Winnie) with a passionate longing to provide quality and holistic education that would help lead the nation’s young ones into a great and meaningful tomorrow. The school has lived up to its vision and this is evident in its performance in the national examinations.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: dailyexpressug@gmail.com Or follow the Daily Express on X Platform or WhatsApp for the latest updates.
