Dan Odongo, the UNEB Executive Director speaking during the release of the UCE 2024 final exams in Kampala yesterday
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Many teachers, parents and students are still dazzled about the new Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) format of reporting performance under the new curriculum.
Several parents that Habari Daily talked to expressed their dissatisfaction with UNEB over unveiling a new system without educating the public on how it works.
“We pay millions of Shillings in tuition to be disrespected like this. Right now I am not sure whether my daughter passed or not, because the concerned party never took the responsibility of sensitising us about the grading system,” said Mubarak Ssenyange, a parent from Kawempe.
Since the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni released the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination results, many parents were seen wondering whether to congratulate or scorn their children, on whether they have passed or failed the exams respectively.
This is because the new grading format and curriculum differs significantly from the old one.
The examinations were conducted under two sets: one based on the new lower secondary school curriculum and another based on the old curriculum.
This was aimed at allowing learners who did not pass the 2023 UCE to transition to A level.
Under the competency-based assessment/curriculum, there is no ranking of candidates into divisions as in the previous curriculum.
Under the new grading system, performance is reported by achievement levels indicated by letter grades A, B, C, D and E.
The new grading format
Dan Odongo, the UNEB Executive Director, issued a detailed explanation to clarify the new format of reporting performance.
He explained that grade A means “Exceptional” and demonstrates an extraordinary level of competency by applying innovatively and creatively the acquired knowledge and skills in real life situations.
Grade B means “Outstanding” and demonstrates a high level of competency by applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real life situations.
Grade C means “Satisfactory” and demonstrates an adequate level of competency by applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real life situations.
Grade D means “Basic” and demonstrates a minimum level of competency in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real life situations.
Grade E means “Elementary” and demonstrates below the basic level of competency in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real life situations.
Janet Museveni unveiling the UCE 2024 results
Odongo said that a candidate qualifies for the UCE Certificate if he/she obtains a competency level grade of D in at least one subject sat for.
The overall results show that 350,146 (98.05%) of the candidates who sat qualified for the UCE certificate, and on their results slip, it will be indicated as Result 1.
However, the candidates who did not fulfill the conditions for the award of the UCE certificate will have Result 2 indicated on their transcripts.
“These are candidates who did not sit for some compulsory subjects, or did not sit for a minimum of eight subjects, or who have no Project Work scores,” said Odongo.
He added that result 3 will be indicated on the transcript of a candidate who has not met the minimum level in all the subjects. For instance, if the candidate had only achievement level E in all subjects taken, they would be given a 3.
Unfortunately, candidates with Result 2 and 3 respectively shown on their Transcripts do not qualify for a UCE certificate.
A total of 10,141 candidates from 1,028 centers registered for the examinations under the old curriculum. Of these, 4,369 (43.1%) were males and 5,373 (52.9%) were females.
Of the total number registered, 9,742 (96.1%) sat for the examination (4,369 males and 5,373 females).
Odongo said that out of the 9,742 candidates that turned up for the examinations, 80 passed in division one, 503 in division two, 1,710 in division three, and 5,820 in division four.
