Soroti SS student out of UCE exams after developing mental health complications

A student of Soroti secondary school has dropped out of the ongoing Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations after developing mental complications.

The affected student is among 750 students registered for the UCE examination at Soroti SS this year. He registered and attended lessons including sitting for mock examinations conducted around July/August. 

Alfred Okiria Oluka, the headteacher of Soroti SS, says that the student attended the candidate’s briefing on Friday and even sat for the first paper on Monday morning without any complications.

He, however, notes that the invigilators and the school authorities were left in shock when the student started shouting during the afternoon paper, prompting the administration to reach out to his family. Okiria says that the student has since failed to return for the examinations.

Julius Oluma, the father of the affected candidate says that the family is surprised and disturbed by the condition of his son. He notes that his son has never had any mental problems from his childhood and wonders why it is happening when he is supposed to complete his ordinary-level education cycle.

“We have taken him to the hospital but our biggest concern is on his education after treatment. Surely, starting afresh from S.1 will be another long route for him after reaching 20 years already. Maybe the ministry and other concerned bodies should devise better means of helping us,” he said on phone.