Nakivale (Uganda) : more than a thousand schoolchildren take the national exam

SOS Médias Burundi

Nakivale, November 5, 2025 — In the Nakivale refugee camp, located in southwestern Uganda, education remains a major challenge for young refugees. Despite economic hardship, more than a thousand schoolchildren sat for the national primary school leaving exam, an entrance test for secondary school, a symbol of academic success and hope for the future.

From November 3 to 4, the Ugandan National Commission for National Examinations oversaw the administration of this test at seven sites across the Base Camp, Juru, and Rubondo areas. The candidates included Ugandan pupils and numerous refugees, including more than 33,000 Burundians out of the camp’s 150,000 residents.

“There were no absences among those who completed the 7th grade, even though many dropped out along the way for various reasons,” a school principal stated.

For the refugees, the exam represents much more than just a school milestone. “The primary school leaving certificate is symbolic : it attests to an educational path, while secondary school remains expensive and humanitarian aid covers very little of the tuition fees,” explained a local leader.

This situation pushes some young people to turn to Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) to learn a trade and gain independence. “To be admitted, a candidate must prove they have completed primary school, which explains the enthusiasm for these tests,” explains the community leader, who calls for more support in the education sector, which remains largely neglected.

Nationally, more than 800,000 schoolchildren took the exam this year, a number that testifies to the crucial importance placed on education, even in refugee camps.