The Primary School System in Uganda

Americans are familiar with a grade school structure consisting of preschool or pre-K education, elementary school, middle or junior high school, and high school. Grade school systems elsewhere in the world may have a similar structure, but different terminology, attendance policies, and examination types. It’s worth understanding how basic education works in other countries, particularly in low-income countries, where grade school educational successes and failures are closely tied to those of the nation as a whole.

Here’s what you should know about the primary education system in Uganda.

What Is Primary School?

In Uganda and elsewhere—particularly in countries that have been colonized by the UK and inherited its systems—primary school is the rough equivalent to elementary school in the US. However, it works much differently. Uganda uses a “7-4-2” education system that has been in place since the early 1960s. In this system, primary school accounts for the “7” (lasts for 7 years). It consists of one lower and one upper level and culminates in the primary leaving examination (PLE). 

Lower Primary School

Ugandan children generally enter lower primary school at the age of 6. The lower primary system consists of grades P1-P3, plus a “transition” year (P4) that helps to prepare students for upper primary school. In 1997, the government introduced the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, making public primary school attendance mandatory and free of tuition fees for up to 4 children per family. However, many students fare better at private schools, if their families can afford it.

Upper Primary School 

Upper primary school consists of grades 5-7 and is for students aged 11-13. Throughout their grade school education, Ugandan students are taught from a holistic curriculum. Some of the subjects they learn about include:

• English
• Integrated science
• Local language/s
• Mathematics
• Religion (Christianity and Islam)
• Social studies
• Technology
• Design
• Performing arts

Primary Leaving Examinations

At the end of their upper primary school years, students are required to take a national exam called the Primary Leaving Examination. The PLE covers four subjects: English language, mathematics, science, and social studies. 

The scoring system for the exam works a bit like the one for the sport of golf, in which low numbers are desirable: the best possible score is a 4 and the worst is 36. Students who pass the PLE with scores of 4-12 receive a first or “division one” grade. Those who score between 13 and 23 receive a second grade; between 24 and 29, a third grade; and between 30-34, a fourth grade. Students must receive a maximum score of 34 points to pass the PLE and progress to secondary school.

Support Primary Education for Ugandan Children With Simone’s Kids

Simone’s Kids in Nakaseke, Uganda provides high-quality primary and secondary education and meets basic needs—including access to clean water, safety measures, and an on-site medical clinic—for children in order to help them break the cycle of poverty.  We currently have 360 students at our primary school. Your donations help purchase school supplies, textbooks, food, and other necessities for Ugandan students as well as help them to pass their PLEs. You can maximize your impact with recurring donations to Simone’s Kids by joining The Village. The Village is a passionate group of donors committed to bettering the lives of children in Uganda by making monthly donations that help to provide scholarships for our students along with better meals, more teachers, more activities, and even post-graduation services. Give today!