A higher proportion of the 2023 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates passed in division 3. According to Uganda’s examination body the performance has dropped compared to 2022 academic year.
A total of 88, 269 failed having obtained grade U and are not eligible to advance with their studies at secondary level.
“The big number of candidates failing exams should raise serious concern because this may increase the statistics of the school dropouts.“ Uganda National Examinations Board Executive Director Dan Odongo said at the release in Nakasero State Logdge.
Overall statistics show 749,254 pupils registered for the November 8-9 exams from 15,859 school centres across Uganda in 2023, projecting a decrease in candidature by 83, 400 as weighed against 2022.
“In 2022, there was a surge in candidature due to the hold-up that had been occasioned by Covid-19 from 2020-2.“ Mr. Odongo stated.
“It should be noted that the number of candidates in Division U is quite high, at 88,269 (10.4%) and should raise concern so that they do not just add to the statistics of school drop-outs. There are districts such as Kibuku (31.5o), Madi Okollo (31.5%), Dokolo (28.9%), Kween (28.4%), Namisindwa (28.9%) where the percentages are well above the national average. Many other districts have over 20% of the candidates in Division U. It is necessary to find out the causes and address them,” he added.
A total of 749,254 candidates from 15,859 centres (schools) registered for PLE in 2023 compared to 832,654 in 2022. Of this number, 501,602 (66.9%) from 11,365 centres were Universal Primary Education (UPE) beneficiaries, and 247,652 (33.1) of the candidates were Non UPE.
Proportionally males performed better than the females. According to the results, 47,452 boys were in Division One, representing 13% compared to 39,130 girls in Division One, representing 9.99%. A total of 164, 906 boys (46%) boys were in Division Two compared to 171, 601 (43%) girls. 69,870 boys (19.53%) were in grade 3 while 86,420 (22.07%) girls were in the same grade.
Girls performed better than boys in English, where 90.64% passed English compared to the boys who are 88.32% but the reverse is true for the other three subjects; SST, Science, and Mathematics.
Uganda Prison registered 69 candidates and 60 candidates sat of whom 2 passed in Division 1 , 32 obtained Division 2, 15 obtained Division 3, 5 obtained Division 4 and 6 were ungraded; while the 9 did not sit the exam. More details will follow.
Results will be uploaded on the examination centre Portals. Each school can therefore download their results as soon as they are officially released.
However, the District, Municipal and City Inspectors of Schools may collect hard copies of the results from UNEB offices at Ntinda from Monday, 29th January. 2024. No copies of results are available as of now. Parents, candidates and other interested parties may use the Short Messaging Service (SMS) on mobile networks, which will post results of candidates on their mobile sets instantly.
On 25th January, 2024, education minister, first lady Janet Kataha Museveni said that selection for SI learners will be held on February 1 and 2 with the secondary school first timers to report on February 19, 2024 for their opening term.
The Statistics are as follows
Total registered candidates- 749,254
UPE candidates-501, 602
Female candidates- 391,558
Male candidates-357,789
Inmates- 69
Special Needs Education learners- 2,436
By George Bukenya