UCE SPECIAL: Summary of results, comparisons, top subjects

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The highs and lows of the 2019 Uganda Certificate of Examination results show that the number of registered candidates increased by 0.7%, performance was better than that of 2018, with 92.2% candidates passing compared to 87.2%, but nearly half of the students who sat failed physics and chemistry papers.

In other highs, more girls than boys registered for the UCE examinations for the first time, while 410 Special Needs Education candidates registered for the 2019 UCE examinations as compared to 357 in 2018.

There was also a decrease in examination malpractices compared to 2018 when 1,825 candidates had their results withheld.  There were only 1,262 cases in the 2019 examinations.

The results were released by Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) today at an event officiated by the cabinet minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni.

Total increase in numbers

Candidature increased by 2,285 (0.7%) from 335,435 in 2018 to 337,720.  Of these 144,256 (42.7%) were USE beneficiaries.  The number of registered female candidates has surpassed that of males by 398.  This is the first time that more females have registered than males.

In 2019, 333,060 candidates appeared for the examination compared to 330,721 candidates who appeared for the examination in 2018.  This is an increase of 2,339  (0.7 per cent) over 2018.

Overall Performance

This year’s performance was better than that of 2018, with 92.2% candidates passing compared to 87.2% in 2018. The failure rate dropped significantly from 12.8% to 7.8%.

Nearly half of the students who sat for the Uganda Certificate of Education- UCE exams failed Physics and Chemistry papers.

At least 166,530, out of the 333,060 students who sat for the 2019 examinations,  scored F9 in both subjects.

According to the Uganda National Education Board-UNEB Executive Secretary Dan Odongo, although there has been an overall improved performance in a number of subjects, there is still a challenge in overall pass levels for science subjects.

Odongo points out that more students still find difficulty in handling the apparatus during practical tests as well as marking and recording observations among other challenges.

“Examiners have reported that the cause of these inadequacies lies in the fact teachers do not integrate the teaching of theory and practices,” said Odongo.

Minister of Education Janet Museveni blamed schools for only teaching theory and ignoring practical subjects.

Best Special Needs candidate was Ndyamuhaki Godwin

A total of 410 Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates registered for the 2019   UCE examination, as compared to 357 in 2018.

These consisted of the blind (36), those with low vision (87), the deaf (60), the dyslexics (26) and physically handicapped (78).  These were 123 others with other forms of disability that only needed to be given extra time.

UNEB said they made adequate arrangements for these candidates, which included modification of questions, provision of questions written in Braille form, providing support personnel for the handicapped and dyslexics, and sign language interpreters for the deaf.  Candidates with low vision were given question papers with enlarged print to enable them read more easily.  All SNE candidates were allowed extra 45 minutes in each paper.

The best SNE candidate is Ndyamuhaki Godwin, a deaf candidate from St Henry’s College, Kitovu in Masaka district.  He scored Aggregate 13 in the best 8 subjects.

Tukei Timothy Alfred from Munta Royal College in Bombo, also a deaf candidate scored Aggregate 14.

The best dyslexic candidate is Obura Daniella Miracle from Gayaza High School who scored an aggregate of 22 in Division 1.  The best blind candidate is  Awas Gabriel from St Francis School for the Blind in Soroti.  He scored aggregate 29 in Division 2.

UNEB maintains an examination centre at Luzira Prisons for the inmates to assist the Uganda Prison Service in their efforts at rehabilitation of offenders.  The centre registered 49 candidates – 48 candidates sat and 9 obtained Division 2, 14 were in Division 3,  23 in Division 4, and only 2 failed.

Exams withheld, fewer cheats this time

The Uganda National Examination Board-UNEB has withheld UCE results of 1,262 candidates over examination malpractices.

According to UNEB, there was a decrease in examination malpractices compared to 2018 when 1,825 candidates had their results withheld.

Speaking at the release of the 2019 UCE results on Friday, Prof Mary Okwakol, the UNEB chairperson noted that they received a lot of support from the public during the examination period.

“We had a lot of support from the public. We were informed of possible cases of examination malpractice ahead in time, “Prof Okwakol said.

According to Okwakol, the board has summoned the affected schools and the hearings will take place in two weeks’ time. In 2018, after the hearings, 1086 results were cancelled.

Dan Odongo, the Executive Secretary of UNEB attributes the reduction of withheld results to the severe security measures.

“The measures put in place resulted in a welcome reduction in the cases of malpractice,” Odongo said.

Last year, the board introduced a number of security measures which included; use of electronic locks at examination storage centres, delaying the pickup time of the examination papers and increasing the number of security officers to monitor the examination.