The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has released the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, marking a historic shift to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This new system replaces traditional division rankings with competency grades ranging from A (Exceptional) to E (Elementary), prioritizing skills application over rote memorization.
Key Statistics and Performance
Out of 359,417 registered candidates, 357,120 (99.4%) sat for the exams, with an impressive 98.05% (350,146) qualifying for the UCE certificate. The absenteeism rate stood at 0.6%, showing continued improvement in student participation. Special needs candidates also excelled, with 95.3% earning their certificates, including a 100% pass rate among deaf students.
A major success this year was the sharp decline in exam malpractice cases. Only 984 candidates were implicated, a significant drop from nearly 3,000 last year. However, concerns remain in science subjects, particularly Physics, where 93.1% of malpractice cases were recorded due to unauthorized teacher assistance in practical exams.
Education Reform and the Way Forward
Under the CBC, final grades are determined through a combination of school-based Continuous Assessment (CA) and an End-of-Cycle Examination. UNEB urges educators and students to embrace this shift, emphasizing practical learning over memorization.
As Uganda fully transitions to competency-based education, UNEB will continue monitoring its impact, ensuring that students acquire relevant skills for the modern world.
