Girls outperform boys in Lira City mock examinations

13 August 2026, 9:27 am

By Isac Erick Odongo

Lira City, Uganda — Girls have outperformed boys in the 2026 Lira City Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) mock examinations, while education officials have raised concerns about examination malpractice and uneven academic performance across schools.

The results, contained in a report released on 12 August 2026, show that 6,470 pupils from primary schools in and around Lira City participated in the mock examinations.

The results indicate that 966 pupils (14.9%) attained Division One, while 2,826 pupils (43.7%) were placed in Division Two.

Another 1,157 pupils (17.9%) attained Division Three, while 966 pupils (14.9%) were in Division Four. A further 382 pupils (5.9%) were graded U, while 173 pupils (2.7%) received an X grade.

Girls also registered a numerical advantage over boys in the examinations.

A total of 3,349 girls passed the mock examinations, compared with 3,091 boys.

The results indicate that girls performed better overall, continuing a trend in which female learners have increasingly demonstrated stronger academic outcomes in a number of primary-level examinations.

English was the best-performing subject, followed by Science and Mathematics, while Social Studies (SST) recorded the weakest performance among the four subjects.

Education officials said the subject-by-subject results provide schools with an opportunity to identify areas where learners require additional support before the national PLE.

Lira City Examination Board Chairperson Mafius Omonya expressed concern about some private schools that did not participate in the city-wide mock examinations.

He said mock examinations are an important preparation tool because they enable schools to assess learners’ readiness, identify weaknesses and take corrective measures before the actual PLE.

Omonya commended schools that participated and performed well, while praising teachers for their commitment to improving learners’ academic standards.

Meanwhile, Lira City Education Officer Canon Jane Obeny raised concerns about schools allegedly engaging pupils in examination malpractice, warning that such practices could undermine the future of learners.

Obeny urged the examination board to provide her office with the names of schools suspected of intending to engage in malpractice so that education authorities can closely monitor them and take appropriate action.

She said examination malpractice not only compromises the credibility of results but can also deprive learners of the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills needed for their future.

Obeny also commended schools and teachers whose efforts contributed to the strong performance recorded in the mock examinations.

She called for greater attention to Social Studies, which emerged as the weakest-performing subject.

Teachers, she said, should embrace modern teaching methods and adapt classroom practices to the changing learning needs of pupils.

Education authorities believe that addressing the identified weaknesses before the PLE could help improve the overall performance of learners in Lira City.

Several schools recorded outstanding performances, with some reporting a 100 per cent Division One rate among their candidates.

Lira City Parents Primary School recorded 30 Division One pupils out of its 30 candidates, giving the school a 100 per cent Division One performance.

Global View Primary School also recorded a perfect result, with all 25 candidates attaining Division One.

Saving Grace Annex registered 16 Division One pupils out of 16 candidates.

At St Gracious Day Primary School, 74 out of approximately 80 candidates attained Division One, making it one of the strongest-performing schools in the mock examinations.

Other schools, including St Kizito, Truth Primary School and Saving Grace, also recorded notable performances.

Government schools also make gains

Among government schools, Adyel Boarding Primary School was among the better performers, recording 40 Division One pupils out of 150 candidates.

Ireda Primary School had 22 pupils in Division One out of 118 candidates, while V.H. Public School recorded 20 Division One pupils out of 143 candidates.

Barapwoo Primary School had 12 pupils attaining Division One out of 164 candidates.

Other schools, including Olaka Annex and Ngetta Boys, also recorded notable results.

Adyel Primary School Headteacher Isaac Otoa attributed his school’s performance to the commitment of teachers and learners.

Otoa said schools must continue reviewing their teaching strategies and adapting them to the changing educational needs of pupils.

He said the mock examinations should not simply be viewed as a test of learners’ performance, but as a tool to help teachers identify gaps and prepare targeted interventions before the national examinations.

At Truth Primary School, Headteacher Isaac Opio said he was optimistic that his pupils would perform strongly in the PLE.

Opio said the mock examinations had helped the school identify areas where pupils needed additional support.

His school recorded 46 Division One pupils out of 52 candidates, a performance he attributed to efforts by teachers and learners to address academic weaknesses ahead of the final examinations.

A total of 117 schools participated in the 2026 Lira City Mock Examinations.

Of these, 94 were schools from Lira City, while the remainder came from neighbouring districts, including Gulu, Kole and Oyam, among others.

Education officials said the results offer schools an important opportunity to assess their preparedness for the PLE, identify learning gaps and strengthen revision programmes ahead of the national examinations.

With girls leading boys and a number of schools recording impressive Division One results, education officials are now urging schools to use the remaining preparation period to address weak areas, strengthen teaching and maintain examination integrity.

The ultimate test, however, will come with the national PLE, when pupils sit the final examination administered by the Uganda National Examinations Board.