Ntinda, Kampala: The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has moved to recruit private and retired teachers to serve as invigilators for the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), after the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) maintained its strike over salary disparities between arts and science teachers.
In a circular dated October 14, 2025, UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo warned that the ongoing industrial action by primary school teachers could significantly affect the availability of invigilators, prompting urgent alternative measures to ensure the smooth conduct of national exams.
“The industrial action by primary school teachers is still on and might affect the turnout of teachers for PLE invigilation,” Odongo stated, urging District, Municipal, and City Inspectors of Schools to persuade willing teachers to participate and ensure prompt payment for their services.
He further called on local authorities to recruit teachers from private schools, engage secondary school teachers not yet on government payroll, and consider retired but capable educators willing to serve.
“We encourage you to use all methods to persuade the teachers to participate, and to ensure prompt payment to those who will do so. We suggest that you look to teachers in private schools, those not yet on payroll, available secondary school teachers and retired but capable and willing educationists in the community to bridge the gaps that the strike may cause,” the notice added.
This approach, according to Dr Odongo, aims to secure adequate supervision for the thousands of candidates expected to sit PLE later this month. “We pray that all will be well,” Odongo added, appealing for cooperation from all stakeholders.
Strike persists
Arts teachers, under UNATU, are protesting the government’s failure to increase their salaries in line with science teachers, whose pay was enhanced in 2022. The persistent salary gap has fueled recurring strikes, creating tension in the education sector and raising fears of nationwide exam disruptions.
The PLE, marking the conclusion of Uganda’s primary education cycle, is scheduled to begin on October 31, 2025, and the first exam on November 3rd (Mathematics, Social Studies, and Religious Education) and the final exam on November 4th, with Integrated Science and English.
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