UBTEB demands uniform assessment of higher institutions

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) wants the government to compel higher institutions of learning to be assessed by the board.

According to UBTEB, the powers given to the higher institutions of learning by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), has created gaps for duplication and overlaps in programmes and their assessment.

Onesmus Oyesigye, the Executive Secretary UBTEB says some universities offering vocational courses don’t want to be assessed by the board. According to Oyesigye, this has led to the self-exclusion of some training institutions from the board assessment.

Addressing the parliamentary committee on education and sports at the board offices in Ntinda on Friday, Oyesigye noted that the uncertainty in the law on the obligations in assessments is a challenge to the board.

Oyesigye indicates that there is a need to review and harmonize some laws, regulations to ensure uniform standards in vocational assessments.

The Vice-Chancellor Bishop Stuart University, Prof. Maud Kamatenesi says Universities have the mandate and expertise to examine and also assess the vocational courses they offer, but it’s upon the government to set uniform standards for the assessment.

Prof. Kamatenesi adds that it’s up to the government to bring together the available policies and regulations and give standards on how to grade the vocational courses.

‘’It’s important that the government takes up this initiative and sorts out things to avoid affecting the learners. Regulators must understand each other and also the certification process should be made smooth,” says Kamatenesi.

Among other issues that UBTEB wants the education committee to push for is the laws and regulations defining mandates of players in the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET), streamlined.

These include among others the TVET bill yet to be introduced to parliament. This bill provides for UBTEB as a national repository for the entire TVET qualification and awards at certificate and diploma levels.

Nathan Itungo, a member of the parliamentary committee on education acknowledged the importance of the government intervention in the smooth running of the board. He asked the board to indicate how the committee can equitably help in resolving the issues, especially in the assessment area.

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URN