Revising so hard saves you from being chopped. PHOTO/FILE
As chopping continues to shape the academic journeys of some students in Uganda’s top schools, it raises important questions about fairness and mental health. Chopping is not just an academic setback but an emotional rollercoaster. For many students, it feels like a public declaration of failure, even if it is not.
The third-term holiday is here, and for all students, it is a season of mixed emotions. The long-awaited break comes with excitement, plans to relax, and reconnect with family and friends. But for some, it is also a time of reckoning as report cards are handed out, revealing whether they have been promoted to the next class—or not. While most students happily move up, others face the dreaded verdict of chopping.
If there is one word that sends chills down the spines of all students in Uganda’s top schools, it is “chopping.” It is not just a word but a reality check. When a student is asked to repeat a class because they did not meet the school’s sky-high promotion benchmarks, they are said to be “chopped”. But is it the end of the road? Or just a detour on the path to greatness?
Chopping - while dreaded, is not a marker of failure. Pass marks vary between schools, and Uganda’s top-tier high schools set standards that border on perfection. For semi-candidate classes such as Senior Three or Five, the pressure to excel is immense. Schools strive to maintain their reputations as academic giants, promoting only the crème de la crème to candidate classes. The stakes are high, and for students teetering on the edge of the required mark, the axe of chopping falls swiftly.
The pressure cooker
For many teens in school, third-term exams are a season of endless revision, sleepless nights, and prayer marathons. “Being chopped is not about you failing,” explains Sarah Kyomuhangi, a Senior Four vacist at one of the top schools in Mukono. “It is about your school wanting to stay number one. If you do not meet their expectations, they would rather have you repeat than gamble with their national exam results,” she shares.
The competition is fierce, and for teens already grappling with adolescence, the fear of chopping becomes a heavy burden. Some students prepare for exams with one mantra in their heads: Do not get chopped.
In semi-candidate classes, the stakes are particularly high. Senior Three and Senior Five students know that the journey to becoming candidates depends on their performance. These classes are often seen as the proving grounds for students’ academic potential.
“I remember crying myself to sleep when I heard my name on the chopping list,” recalls Daniel Walubiri, now in Senior Six at a different school. “It was not that I was dumb. I just did not meet the pass mark for promotion. My parents decided it was better for me to transfer rather than repeat.”
Moving schools!
For many families, the decision to leave and enroll in a less demanding school is a no-brainer. What one school considers average might be excellent elsewhere. “Chopping does not define your intelligence,” insists Lydia Mahoro, who was transferred to a mid-tier school after being chopped in Senior Three at one of the top single girls schools in Kampala.
“I joined a new school, got into a candidate class, and eventually aced my UCE exams, doing better than some of my collegues I left at my former school.”
This escape route is not just about academics; it is about preserving self-esteem. Staying in the same school often means facing judgmental stares and whispers from peers. “It is better to start fresh in a new school,” Lydia adds.
However, transferring is not always an easy decision. It means adjusting to a new environment, making new friends, and proving yourself all over again. For some, the change feels like starting from scratch. “I felt lost at first,” Lydia admits. “But eventually, I found my footing and realised I could thrive anywhere.”
Students report back to school at Kololo Senior Secondary School on February 6, 2023. PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI
Parents also face the financial strain of transferring their children to a new school, often at short notice. The costs of enrollment, new uniforms, and school supplies add up quickly. Despite these challenges, many believe the fresh start is worth it for their children’s confidence and mental well-being.
The emotional toll
Chopping is not just an academic setback; it is an emotional rollercoaster. For many students, it feels as a public declaration of failure, even if it is not. The fear of judgment from peers, teachers, and even family can be overwhelming.
“I hated going back to class after being chopped,” confesses Michael Lubega, who repeated Senior Five at a top school in Kampala.
“Even though my friends were supportive, I still felt like I had let everyone down.”
The stigma around chopping often leads to feelings of shame and inadequacy. Students might withdraw from social activities, lose confidence, or struggle with anxiety. “I did not even want to tell my best friend,” added Lubega . “I felt like everyone would think I was not smart enough.”
Parents, too, feel the weight of societal expectations. “When my daughter was chopped, everyone in our neighborhood knew,” shares one mother. “It felt like people were whispering about us, asking if she was not smart enough.”
Is it really that bad?
Despite the negative connotations, being chopped has its upsides. For starters, it gives students a second chance to grasp concepts they might have struggled with. “Repeating helped me understand subjects better,” Michael admits. “By the time I sat for my UACE this year, I felt more confident than ever.”
Teachers also view chopping as a tool for ensuring students are fully prepared for national exams. “It is not about punishing students,” explains Mr Jude Kato, a Dean of Students at a top school in Mukono. “It is about making sure they are ready for the challenges ahead.”
However, critics argue that chopping is more about protecting schools’ reputations than helping students. “Schools care more about their rankings than the mental health of students,” says Joel Mubangizi, an education activist.
“They would rather sacrifice a student’s self-esteem than risk a drop in their performance metrics.”
Students who repeat often report mixed outcomes. While some use the extra time to improve, others feel stuck in limbo, watching their peers move on without them. “It’s a tough balance,” Michael says.
A culture that needs rethinking
As chopping continues to shape the academic journeys of some students in Uganda’s top schools, it raises important questions about fairness and mental health.
“What we need is a system that balances academic excellence with students’ well-being,” Mubangizi argues. “Instead of chopping students, schools should consider offering remedial programmes or personalised learning plans.”
Parents, too, play a crucial role in changing the narrative around chopping. By supporting their children and emphasising growth over grades, they can help reduce the stigma.
Being chopped might feel like the end of the road, but it is really just a detour. Whether you choose to stay and repeat or start fresh in a new school, remember this: one setback does not define your future.
To every student anxiously awaiting their report card this holiday season, take heart. Whatever happens, you have the power to bounce back.
