The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has reported a significant overall improvement in the 2023 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, with a pass rate reaching 95 percent and an increase in candidature.
UNEB results reveal that 17.9% of the candidates who sat in 2023 were able to pass in division one, compared to 46,667 or 13.5% in 2022.
According to UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo, there was a slight increase in the number of candidates compared to the previous year, with 15,008 more candidates sitting the exam in 2023, totaling 364,469 candidates compared to 349,459 in 2022.
Odongo revealed that the overall performance this year showed a noteworthy improvement, with the pass rate soaring to 95.9%.
“64,782 candidates or 17.9% of the candidates were able to pass in first grade division, this is compared to 46,667 or 13.5% in 2022.The failure rate has also dropped by 0.5%. This means that 329,939 or 95.9% of the learners who presented themselves for the 2023 examination can progress to the post-UCE,” Odongo said.
Regarding gender-based performance differences, Odongo mentioned that female candidates performed better in English Language, while males showed superior performance in other subjects, notably History, Geography, Sciences, and Commerce. However, in Chemistry, although male candidates performed better in higher grades, a slightly higher percentage of females obtained at least a Pass.
Despite improvements in several subjects such as English Language, Religious Education, Mathematics, and Biology, Odongo highlighted that less than 20% of candidates achieved Credit pass levels in Physics and Chemistry.
“There is a significant improvement in English Language, Religious Education, Mathematics and Biology. Noticeable drops were recorded History, Agriculture and Physics. Performance in the other subjects have remained comparable. In English language, the presentation of crammed passages from texts in response to the question on original composition writing has greatly reduced, which may explain the significant improvement in the candidate.” he said
He attributed low achievement levels in science subjects to factors such as inadequate teaching and the absence of practical training, exacerbated by reports of schools lacking science teachers.
“Examiners have attributed the low achievement levels in science subjects to a number of factors, main among which are inadequate teaching, manifesting in the inability of the learners to master the basic scientific concepts; lack of practical teaching, manifesting in the learners’ inability to manipulate science apparatus and carry out the procedures prescribed in the examination papers There are schools that have been reported to have no science teachers,” he further explained
UNEB Chairperson Professor Celestino Obua disclosed that the 2023 examination is the last to be administered under the old curriculum. Starting from the October/November examination in 2024, the UCE will align with the New Lower Secondary Curriculum.
He emphasized that candidates who previously had the option to repeat exams will face different examination formats and conditions, making such a practice no longer viable.
Comments are closed.