The selection process for Senior Five students is currently taking place at Lugogo UMA Grounds, running from February 20 to 21, 2025. This exercise will determine the placement of students in various secondary schools based on their performance in the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations.
A total of 359,417 candidates sat for the 2024 UCE examinations, making them the first cohort to transition into the newly introduced Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at A-Level. Of these, 177,133 (49.3%) were male, while 182,284 (50.7%) were female. The selection includes 136,785 students under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme and 222,632 from non-USE schools.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) reported that 357,120 students (99.4%) attended the exams, with only 2,297 students (0.6%) absent. The declining absenteeism rate has been noted as a positive indicator of student commitment.
Education Minister Janet Museveni reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent selection process. “The selection exercise is a critical process that determines the future of our students,” she stated. “We urge parents, teachers, and students to cooperate fully to ensure its smooth execution.”
The Ministry has set Monday, March 3, 2025, as the reporting date for Senior Five students. This transition is particularly significant as these students will pioneer the A-Level CBC, which has been adjusted to align with their O-Level learning approach.
Education experts have expressed confidence in the new system, citing its emphasis on research, project-based learning, and critical thinking. “These learners have developed essential skills that will enable them to thrive at A-Level and beyond,” an official from the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) remarked.
The selection process remains highly competitive, with thousands of students vying for placement in the country’s top secondary schools. Education officials have assured the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to facilitate a smooth transition for students as they embark on the next phase of their academic journey.
The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) National Learning Standards and Competency (NLSC) grading system categorizes student performance into five distinct levels based on their competency in applying acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations. Below is the grading system and its corresponding descriptors:
GRADE A – Exceptional
Demonstrates an extraordinary level of competency by applying acquired knowledge and skills innovatively and creatively in real-life situations.
GRADE B – Outstanding
Demonstrates a high level of competency by effectively applying acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
GRADE C – Satisfactory
Demonstrates an adequate level of competency by applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
GRADE D – Basic
Demonstrates a minimum level of competency in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
GRADE E – Elementary
Demonstrates below the basic level of competency in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
This grading system aims to assess students’ ability to utilize their knowledge practically and prepares them for further academic and career progression.