Uganda National Examinations Board Releases 2024 UCE Results: A Shift to Competency-Based Assessment

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has officially released the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination results, marking a historic transition to the competency-based curriculum. The results, unveiled by the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, signal a departure from the traditional division-based ranking system and embrace a competency-based assessment model that focuses on students' skills and practical understanding.

Candidate Registration and Attendance

A total of 359,417 candidates were registered as the first cohort under the new curriculum. Of these, 177,133 (49.3%) were male, while 182,284 (50.7%) were female. Candidates from the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme totaled 136,785 (38.1%), whereas non-USE candidates accounted for 222,632 (61.9%).

During the examination period, 357,120 (99.4%) candidates sat for their papers, while 2,297 (0.6%) were absent. UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo noted that the absenteeism rate has continued to decline over the years, which is a positive development.

Additionally, a total of 10,141 candidates from 1,028 centres registered for the UCE examination as private candidates. Among these, 4,369 (43.1%) were male, while 5,373 (52.9%) were female. A small fraction, 813 (8.0%), were USE beneficiaries, while 8,929 (88.0%) were non-USE.

Transition to Competency-Based Assessment 

For the first time, UCE performance has been evaluated under a competency-based curriculum, replacing the conventional system of grading students into divisions. Under this model, performance is reported using letter grades A, B, C, D, and E, which represent different levels of competency achieved by learners in each subject.

The final achievement level for each subject is determined through a combination of two assessment components:

Continuous Assessment (CA): Scores derived from coursework and in-school assessments throughout the learning period.

End of Cycle Examination: The final written UNEB assessment, which complements the CA scores. According to Hon. Janet Museveni, a candidate qualifies for the UCE Certificate if they attain at least a Grade D in any of the subjects attempted.

General Candidates’ Performance

The overall performance of candidates in the 2024 UCE examination indicates that the majority of students successfully met the new competency requirements. Out of the total candidates who sat for the exams, 350,146 (98.05%) qualified for the UCE Certificate. These candidates will have Result 1 reflected on their transcripts and certificates.

However, a small proportion of candidates did not fulfill the requirements for the award of the UCE Certificate. Their transcripts will indicate Result 2, signifying that they:

Did not sit for some compulsory subjects.

Sat for fewer than the minimum eight subjects required.

Did not submit Project Work scores, which are mandatory in the new assessment system.

Implications of the New Grading System

The competency-based curriculum aims to equip students with practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and hands-on experience, rather than relying solely on written examination scores. By eliminating the traditional division-based ranking, the Ministry of Education and UNEB hope to:

Reduce academic competition and exam-based pressure on students. Encourage holistic learning, with a focus on problem-solving and creativity.

Improve students' employability and technical skills in the long run.

Challenges and Adjustments

While the new grading system offers numerous benefits, some challenges have been noted:

Schools and parents are still adjusting to the new reporting system, which differs significantly from the division-based approach.

Some students did not meet the competency-based requirements due to incomplete project work or failure to sit for compulsory subjects.

There are concerns about how universities and employers will interpret the new grading system in the short term.

The release of the 2024 UCE results under the new curriculum marks a transformative period in Uganda's education system. With over 98% of candidates qualifying for the UCE Certificate, the transition to competency-based assessment appears promising. However, as the system evolves, UNEB and the Ministry of Education must continue sensitizing stakeholders, including students, parents, and tertiary institutions, to ensure a smooth implementation of the new framework.

The future of Uganda’s secondary education now hinges on competency development, making students more adaptable to both academic and professional environments in a rapidly changing world.