A 16-year-old primary seven candidate gave birth as her mates were sitting for their mathematics paper in the ongoing Primary Leaving Examinations-PLE in Pader District.
The girl whose name is withheld because she is a minor reportedly went into labour on Monday the night after briefing and was taken to Kilak Health centre III for delivery. The incident happened at Pader Ongany Primary School.
Esther Okot, the head teacher of the school, told Uganda Radio Network that the girl started experiencing labour pain at around 7 pm on Monday but the pain intensified on Tuesday as soon as she sat in the examination room for the mathematics paper. She was advised to write her name on the answer sheet before she was taken to the health centre.
Okot said the girl was however able to sit for the next examination after giving birth at midday.
Okot added that the school registered only 21 candidates; 16 boys, and five girls. Besides the girl who gave birth yesterday, another is sitting examinations while pregnant.
She attributed the low enrollment and pregnancy to the unfavourable school environment provided by the monthly market which she said exposes learners to immoral acts.
Bosco Okello Odong, the chairperson of the School Management Committee of the school, said that because of the government policy of permitting expectant girls to study the candidate freely attended classes.
Primary Leaving Examinations started on Monday with a briefing of candidates and will end today, Wednesday with Science and English papers.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board- UNEB, a total of 832,839 pupils registered to sit for the exam.
