Pakwach to hire boats to transport PLE candidates in flood affected areas

Pakwach District leaders are left without options but to hire boats to transport Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates in areas cut off by flooding water from River Nile tributaries; Kamia and Kuncwinya.

Owere Primary School in Pakwach Town Council and surrounding communities were recently cut off by rising water levels in River Nile.
According to local authorities, at least eight villages are cut off and residents can’t access health facilities, schools and market places, raising fear and anxiety among some leaders ahead of PLE which start tomorrow (November 4).

The district’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mr Moses  Dalili told this publication that  leaders had agreed in an emergency meeting held with Pakwach Town Council leaders, to  procure  four  boats  which will cost  the council over Shs2 million for  emergency.

“The emergency response was made to cushion the cost of crossing the flooding rivers. Learners are charged Shs1,000 which is a burden for most parents and during this exam period, some parents will be helping to cross the candidates”, Mr Dalili said.

He said they had notified the Prime Minister’s Office about the three submerged schools in Owere. 
Owere Primary School head teacher, Mr Christopher Ojok said they registered 56 candidates. They had expected to register more than 60 but the floods scared some pupils who ended up dropping out.
“Although parents have been paying Shs1, 000 per term to facilitate the rowers, the payments were not timely and this time round, the arrangement was made with UNEB and other stakeholders in the district to ensure all the candidates are transported freely to the school for their PLE”, Mr Ojok said.