Prof. Celestino Obua
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Chairperson, Prof. Celestino Obua, has suggested a major change to the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) grading system, advocating for the use of total marks instead of the current aggregate-based scoring.
Prof. Obua made the announcement during the inauguration of the new UNEB board, shortly after being sworn in for his second term. He highlighted that the existing system has created significant stress for both learners and parents, especially those aiming for the highly celebrated Aggregate 4.
“The focus on aggregates has become almost obsessive,” Prof. Obua said. “Many parents believe that only an Aggregate 4 guarantees success, which is not true. Talent, effort, and overall performance matter just as much.”
He explained that the aggregate system can be unfair, particularly for pupils who perform well across most subjects but miss a top grade in one. To address this, he proposed grading pupils based on total marks, a method Uganda used before 1983.
Under this approach, secondary schools would admit students based on total scores rather than narrow aggregate bands. For example, if a school needed 100 learners, it would simply take the top 100 performers according to total marks.
Education experts have welcomed the idea, saying it could reduce unnecessary competition, help learners focus on holistic development, and encourage parents to value overall learning instead of chasing prestige.
Prof. Obua’s proposal is expected to spark discussions among policymakers, teachers, and parents about how best to balance fairness, academic excellence, and pupil wellbeing in Uganda’s education system.
About the Author
