Ministry of Education Revokes UNEB Centre Number for Seroma Christian High School Over Expulsion Controversy
The Ministry of Education and Sports has withdrawn the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) centre number for Seroma Christian High School in Mukono. This action follows the school’s decision to expel over 100 Senior Four students and six Senior Six students due to poor academic performance.
In a letter dated May 28, addressed to UNEB, Mary Mutende, the Commissioner for Private Schools at the Ministry of Education, expressed that the school’s justification for the mass expulsion was unconvincing. Mutende emphasized that the new curriculum prioritizes skill-building over merely achieving high grades.
“The directive to suspend the UNEB centre number comes in response to Seroma Christian High School’s failure to comply with a ministry decision,” Mutende stated. This decision, made during a meeting attended by parents, school management, and ministry officials, mandated the re-admission of the expelled students and their participation in upcoming UNEB exams.
Parental Concerns and Administrative Actions
The ministry’s intervention was prompted by a parent’s complaint regarding the expulsions despite payment of registration fees. It was revealed that the school intended to have the expelled students sit for their exams at a different institution, circumventing the agreed resolution.
Despite clear instructions to readmit the students, the school’s administration, led by Resident Director Amelia Kyambadde and the head teacher, failed to comply. The ministry’s letter to UNEB highlighted this non-compliance as an act of impunity, stressing that it deprived learners of their educational advancement opportunities.
Official Statements and Consequences
“This is an act of impunity on the part of the director, clearly showing that the terminated learners were not going to be considered as earlier agreed,” the letter read. The ministry called for the temporary blocking of the school’s UNEB registration centre number until compliance with the directive is verified.
In response, Amelia Kyambadde claimed the matter was resolved, stating, “Tell me how you accessed this information. I call the PS and the commissioner for an explanation. We handled that matter at the ministry and it was resolved.” However, reports from parents and students contradicted her assertion, indicating that the school has not readmitted the expelled students and continues to push for their transfer to another school.
Local Education Authorities’ Involvement
Mukono District Education Officer (DEO) Rashid Kikomeko confirmed receiving the ministry’s directive and assured action to ensure compliance. “My team is yet to take action, however, it is bad for a Christian school to act in this manner. This practice is common in several other schools and needs to stop. Schools should plan according to their capacity to achieve better results,” Kikomeko noted.
The revocation of Seroma Christian High School’s UNEB centre number underscores the Ministry of Education’s commitment to upholding educational standards and protecting students’ rights. The ministry’s firm stance serves as a reminder to all educational institutions about the importance of adhering to regulations and ensuring fair treatment of students.