Gulu boss makes u-turn on resignation

Gulu

Gulu LC5 chairperson Martin Ojara Mapenduzi has retracted his earlier statement that he would resign if the district did not raise 100 pupils in first grade in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations.

While addressing head teachers and councillors last Thursday, Mr Mapenduzi said he would remain in his seat since other officials in the education department had refused to resign as earlier agreed. He, however, lauded the performance of the district in exams, saying it was a remarkable improvement compared to the previous year.

Results
In 2011, 66 pupils passed in Division One out of a total of 3,703 candidates that registered for PLE in Gulu while 1,397 obtained second grade. Then, Mr Mapenduzi described the result as embarrassing and put his job on the line if the district did not get more than 100 first grades. However, last year, the district had 96 candidates passing in grade one, less by four candidates. “Missing the target by a small margin is excusable, if it was to follow the earlier trend, then I would have taken a bold step to leave my office,” Mr Mapenduzi said.

Mr Robinson Obot, the district inspector of schools, said they would continue to improve performance with support of all stakeholders to match other districts. Academic performance in the district has been poor since the height of the LRA insurgency that displaced learners and institutions, leading to the establishment of temporary learning centres.

An educational ordinance has been established to ensure that parents, teachers and children play their role and boost development.

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