The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has issued a final call for students to register for this year’s examinations, spanning multiple educational levels.
In a press statement Jennifer Kalule, UNEB’s spokesperson emphasized that parents, schools, and candidates have until June 21st, 2024, to complete the registration process. Those registering after this deadline will incur double the regular registration fees.
UNEB is administering four examinations this year, including the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), and a one-off transitional examination under the new lower secondary curriculum.
Regular registration fees are set at 34,000 shillings for PLE, 164,000 shillings for UCE, and 186,000 shillings for UACE. Late registration for PLE will result in a 100 percent surcharge, while UCE and UACE candidates will face a 50 percent surcharge. The window for late registration with these additional charges will close on July 31, 2024.
As of Wednesday morning, UNEB had registered 1,309,852 candidates for all four examinations, including those under the transitional examination. Among the registered candidates, 51 percent are female and 49 percent are male. Notably, 56 percent of the transitional candidates registered are female, with males comprising the remaining 44 percent.
Kalule highlighted the significance of this year’s transitional examination, noting it is the final opportunity for UNEB to assess learners under the old lower secondary curriculum.
Eligible candidates for the transitional examination include adults aged 20 and above who did not sit for PLE, provided they obtain permission from the UNEB Executive Director, present proof of age, and are Ugandan citizens.
Other eligible individuals include learners who completed UCE in 2023 or earlier and wish to improve their grades, those who registered for UCE in 2023 or earlier but did not sit for the exams, individuals who failed to register for UCE in 2023 but sat PLE in 2018 or earlier, and learners whose results were cancelled due to examination malpractice.
The transitional examination will be conducted concurrently with the regular UCE exams in October/November this year. Registration for this category can be completed at any private halls accredited by UNEB across the country or at other UNEB examination centres, including USE Schools.
Kalule stressed the importance of registering within the deadlines to avoid penalties and ensure participation. “This is a critical milestone in our education system, and we urge all eligible candidates to take advantage of this unique opportunity,” she said.