In a quiet examination room in Lamwo District, northern Uganda, a young mother has turned what could have been the end of her schooling into a story of quiet determination. Sharon Nora Lamara, a candidate at Katebo Primary School, is sitting her Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) with her newborn baby, barely a week old, by her side.
The teenager returned to the classroom after an unexpected pregnancy and the birth of her child, choosing to continue her studies rather than abandon her academic dreams. She is among two young parents from Katebo Primary School, a private institution in Katum sub-county, who are sitting this year's exams at Labayango Primary School.
A National Examination Season Like No Other
Lamara's story unfolds against the backdrop of a record-breaking examination season. This year, 920,833 candidates registered for the PLE, a 12.5 percent jump from the 817,885 who sat the exams in 2025. The candidates are spread across 16,478 examination centres nationwide, making it one of the largest cohorts in recent memory.
For Lamara, the numbers fade into the background. She said the pregnancy caught her by surprise, but she made a deliberate choice to pick up her books again instead of letting the setback close the door on her education.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Educationists and community leaders have welcomed the return of the two young parents to the examination room, describing teenage pregnancy as a challenge that should never be allowed to cut a girl's education short. Their message is simple: motherhood and schooling can coexist, and no learner should be written off because of circumstances beyond her control.
The presence of a newborn in an examination setting is unusual, but it reflects a growing recognition that young mothers need practical support if they are to stay in school. Teachers and local leaders in Lamwo have pointed to the resilience of candidates like Lamara as proof that second chances matter.
Why This Story Matters
Uganda has long grappled with high rates of teenage pregnancy, particularly in rural districts, where early motherhood often forces girls out of the classroom for good. Stories like Lamara's challenge that pattern. They show that with encouragement, flexible arrangements, and a refusal to give up, young mothers can keep their academic hopes alive.
- Lamara is sitting her PLE with her one-week-old baby at Labayango Primary School.
- She attends Katebo Primary School in Katum sub-county, Lamwo District.
- A total of 920,833 candidates registered for this year's PLE, up 12.5 percent from last year.
- The exams are being held at 16,478 centres across the country.
As candidates across Uganda put pen to paper, Lamara's story stands out as a reminder that determination can outweigh difficulty. Her decision to return to school with her newborn in tow sends a powerful message to other young mothers: the classroom is still open, and the future is not lost.
