Details Of How Candidates Performed In UACE 2023

The 2023 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results have been officially released by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), showcasing a notable improvement in candidate performance compared to previous years.

Speaking at the results release, Mr. Dan Odongo, the UNEB Executive Secretary, highlighted that out of the 108,492 students who took the S.6 examinations last year, a total of 109,488 passed, representing an impressive 99% pass rate. This achievement qualifies them for admission to university and other tertiary institutions.

Mr. Odongo noted that the criteria for university admissions to degree courses have traditionally required 2 Principal level passes. With this standard, 80,643 candidates (73.7%) are eligible for admission, a significant increase compared to 2022. Moreover, 90.7% of candidates qualify for admission to other tertiary institutions when considering one Principal and two Subsidiary pass levels.

Female candidates, despite being fewer in number, consistently outperformed their male counterparts in terms of percentages. This trend has been observed for the past three years, with female candidates demonstrating higher pass rates at upper levels and lower failure rates overall.

The number of candidates registering for Mathematics and the Sciences is on the rise, particularly in Mathematics, indicating promising growth. However, the overall numbers remain below half of the total candidature, reflecting the historical trend of low pass rates in these subjects at the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) level, which affects the transition to UACE.

UNEB reported a 12.9% increase in the number of candidates registered for the 2023 UACE compared to the previous year. Of these candidates, 42.7% were females and 57.3% were males. Despite the increase, the proportion of female candidates remains lower than that of males.

Additionally, the number of candidates registered under the UPOLET programme, which targets students from disadvantaged backgrounds, saw an increase compared to the previous year. However, the majority of candidates at the UACE level are not under this programme, with females being significantly underrepresented.

Prof. Celestino Obua, the UNEB Board Chairperson, commended the growing numbers and improved performance, especially among candidates obtaining 3 Principal passes. He emphasized the need to address the disparity in STEM subject enrollment between male and female candidates, noting that girls who opt for STEM subjects perform as well as, if not better than, their male counterparts.

In total, 110,553 candidates registered for the 2023 UACE examination across 2,102 centres. Candidates can check their results via SMS by sending their index number to a specified number provided by the board.

The Education System in Uganda: A Comprehensive Overview

Uganda, a country located in East Africa, has made significant strides in its education system over the years. The Ugandan education system is governed by the Ministry of Education and Sports, which oversees the development and implementation of policies aimed at enhancing access to quality education for all citizens. One of the key components of the education system in Uganda is the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), which plays a vital role in assessing and certifying students at various levels of education. In this comprehensive overview, we will delve into the structure of the education system in Uganda, the role of UNEB, challenges facing the system, and initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.

Structure of the Education System
The education system in Uganda is divided into several levels, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

Pre-primary Education: Pre-primary education is not compulsory in Uganda and is typically provided by private institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations. It serves as a foundation for children before they enter primary school.

Primary Education, primary education in Uganda is free and compulsory for all children aged 6 to 12 years. The primary cycle lasts for seven years, divided into lower primary (P1-P3) and upper primary (P4-P7). The curriculum at this level includes subjects such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, and religious education.

Secondary Education: Secondary education in Uganda is divided into two cycles, O-level (Ordinary Level) and A-level (Advanced Level). The O-level cycle lasts for four years and is followed by the UNEB-administered Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination. Students who pass the UCE examination proceed to the A-level cycle, which lasts for two years and culminates in the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examination.

Tertiary Education, tertiary education in Uganda includes universities, colleges, and vocational institutions. The country has several universities and other tertiary institutions offering a wide range of programs and courses.

Role of UNEB
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) is a government agency responsible for the conduct of national examinations at various levels of education in Uganda. Some of the key roles of UNEB include:

1. Development of Examination Policies: UNEB is responsible for developing examination policies and guidelines in consultation with relevant stakeholders. These policies aim to ensure the integrity, fairness, and reliability of the examination process.
2. Administration of Examinations, UNEB is responsible for the administration of national examinations, including setting examination papers, conducting examinations, marking scripts, and releasing examination results.
3. Certification, UNEB certifies candidates who successfully complete their respective levels of education. For example, UNEB awards the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) to candidates who pass the O-level examination and the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) to candidates who pass the A-level examination.
4. Quality Assurance, UNEB plays a crucial role in quality assurance by monitoring and evaluating the standards of education through the examination process. It identifies areas of improvement and provides feedback to education stakeholders.

Challenges Facing the Education System
Despite the progress made in the education sector, Uganda faces several challenges that hinder the delivery of quality education. Some of the key challenges include:

1. Inadequate Infrastructure: Many schools in Uganda lack essential infrastructure such as classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and sanitation facilities, which affects the learning environment.
2. Teacher Shortages: There is a shortage of qualified teachers in Uganda, particularly in rural and remote areas. This shortage affects the quality of education and contributes to high pupil-teacher ratios.
3. Low Enrollment and Retention Rates: Despite the government’s efforts to promote universal primary education, Uganda still faces challenges related to low enrollment and high dropout rates, especially among girls and children from marginalized communities.
4. Limited Access to Tertiary Education: Access to tertiary education remains limited in Uganda, with a significant portion of the population unable to afford tuition fees or access higher education institutions.

Initiatives to Address Challenges:
The Ugandan government, in collaboration with various stakeholders, has implemented several initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges facing the education system. Some of these initiatives include:

1. Universal Primary Education (UPE): The government introduced the UPE program in 1997 to promote access to primary education for all children. Under this program, tuition fees in government-aided primary schools were abolished to encourage enrollment.
2. Teacher Training and Development: The government has prioritized teacher training and development initiatives to address the shortage of qualified teachers. This includes the establishment of teacher training colleges and ongoing professional development programs for teachers.
3. Infrastructure Development: Efforts are underway to improve school infrastructure through the construction of classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and sanitation facilities. Public-private partnerships have been formed to mobilize resources for infrastructure development projects.
4. Promotion of Technical and Vocational Education: The government is promoting technical and vocational education to equip students with practical skills that are relevant to the needs of the labor market. This includes the establishment of vocational training centers and partnerships with industry stakeholders.

Conclusion
The education system in Uganda has undergone significant reforms in recent years, with a focus on promoting access to quality education for all citizens. The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) plays a crucial role in assessing and certifying students at various levels of education. Despite the progress made, the education system still faces challenges related to infrastructure, teacher shortages, enrollment, and access to tertiary education. However, the Ugandan government, in collaboration with stakeholders, is implementing initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges and improving the quality of education in the country.