How to help students in candidate classes

Students studying for their final examinations. Usually, they are under pressure from their parents and teachers to score high grades. FILE PHOTO.

“Peter Wasswa was the brightest pupil at one of the schools in Karuguuza town council in Kibaale District. Much as his school was not among the top schools in the district; his teachers were hopeful that he would be among the best Primary Leaving Education (PLE) candidates. He had been a top performer since he joined the school. He increased his teachers’ hopes when he emerged the second in the collective MOCK examinations. He scored aggregate five.
Towards PLE, all teachers focused on him and often reminded him how the school’s hopes were in him. They could advise him to revise his books and towards the examinations, he was restricted from playing with other children so that he could spend time in his books.

When the D-day came, Wasswa was at school as early as 6am, smartly dressed and ready. Inside the examination room, he began sweating unusually. The invigilator noticed this unusual sweating and inquired what was happening. Unfortunately, the boy collapsed the moment the invigilator spoke to him.
Dr Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counseling psychologist, attributes such scenarios to stress and anxiety of the candidate. This, she says, could be as a result of parents’ insistence on better grades or teachers not giving a child enough time to rest.

“Parents tend to be very active when children are going to sit for final examinations. This is when some parents start telling children that they should not bring shame on them with bad grades. Some even tell students that they should get first grades by all means. That pressure could affect the child’s health or disorganise their thinking.”
She adds that teachers’ attitudes towards examinations have often caused problems for candidates and eventually affected their performance. Such attitudes can be seen in spending a lot of time teaching candidates and infringing on their liberty to rest.

“Some schools start teaching children from morning up to late evening. They do not allow them to play. They spend most of the time answering mock examination papers and doing revision. The candidates get stressed but they cannot tell the teachers. The damage shows up when the real time for exams comes. The child could dose or collapse during the paper.”

Pressuring students
Muhammad Kakiika, head teacher, Vienna College Namugongo, says cases of collapsing or fainting students during exams could also be as a result of pressure candidates puts on themselves. He says some children have the mentality of working to please parents or guardians. Sometimes, such incidents are triggered by promises from parents.
“When you tell a child to get grade A in order to get something from you, you have already put pressure on him. Some parents insist that a child must get a first grade just like the elder sibling or neighbour’s child did. By doing this, you are damaging your child’s ability to perform well in thier final examination.”

The poisoning atmosphere at home
Dr Ssenyonyi says parents’ conduct at home could also affect the child during the examination period. For instance, constant fights and quarrels between a couple make a child stressed. This stress is carried into the examination room.
Another thing Dr Ssenyonyi and Kakiika cite that could affect the students’ performance in final examinations is a change of environment. The duo say change of the environment could make a child’s body uncomfortable, distressed or stressed and could affect the performance.
“There are those things parents want to do for their candidates thinking they are good yet they are causing them trouble,” Dr Ssenyonyi says, adding, “If you decide to take the child to a boarding school at the last hour or take the child to a new home, it could have a negative impact on their performance.”
Vincent Agaba, deputy head teacher, Mirembe Junior School, says much as teachers want better grades, they should help children balance revision and leisure time. He says teachers should not make candidates remain in class from morning to evening.

“We are preparing our candidates because we need better grades. However, we have not taken away the candidates’ right for leisure. We are giving them different past papers and giving them some counseling to eliminate fear. Much as they are candidates, they still need time to relax.”
Kakiika adds that parents should encourage candidates to perform better but not to command them to achieve grades you want. “Have trust in your child. If your child has been getting grade C, do not show him that he is the worst. Encourage him to improve and also assure him that you will be happy with the grade he gets.”
Dr Ssenyonyi advises parents to be close to their children and ensure they address any challenges that could distort their performance. “Even if you have been busy with work, this is the time when a child needs your total support. Speak to them and try to understand what is going on in their minds.”
Agaba places emphasis on clearing all school requirements before the final examination has a soothing effect on the child. “He or she will not be constantly disturbed by school management. “Give them balanced diets and enough water, and at least, six hours sleep.”