Kampala- Uganda: On 24th October 2024, the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) officially released the results for the July-August 2024 Examinations. This event marked a significant milestone in the nation’s drive and commitment to competence-based education and training. The release ceremony was held at State House, Nakasero, and was presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni. The Minister commended UBTEB and the vocational education sector for their relentless dedication to equipping Ugandan youth with practical skills.

During the ceremony, the Honourable Minister emphasized that UBTEB’s assessment model of assessment ensures the development of a competent and skilled workforce, which is essential for Uganda’s economic transformation. "I also heard that the candidates’ performance looks at a broad range of parameters including continuous assessment, industrial training, practical assessment, real-life projects, and the final written examinations. If implemented effectively, this approach is reassuring that our TVET system is not simply graduating theoretical people but those with skill,” the minister stated.

The results presented by the UBTEB Executive Secretary, Onesmus Oyesigye (CPA), highlighted strong performance across various programs. A total of 1,926 candidates sat for the July-August 2024 examinations, conducted at 45 examination centres, including technical colleges, business schools, and vocational institutes. The candidates were assessed in a range of programs, from National Certificates to Diplomas, including Technical Higher Diplomas, Technical National Diplomas, Business Diplomas and Certificates, as well as Diplomas and Certificates in Physical and Biological Sciences.

The Executive Secretary noted that of the 1,926 trainees who sat for the examinations, 1,804 -representing 94% - pursued Diploma programs, while 122, or 6%, pursued Certificate programmes. He pointed out that the number of female candidates remains significantly lower than that of their male counterparts. “The number of male candidates continues to be higher, with 1,393 representing 72% of the total, compared to 533 female candidates, who account for 28% in this particular examination series,” Oyesigye elaborated.

A total of 1,562 candidates, representing 82%, completed their programs and attained full competencies, with 285 candidates achieving Class One (Distinction 1). “Of the 1,926 candidates who sat for these examinations, 1,562, representing 82%, completed their programmes and have attained all the required competences. These successful candidates were further categorized by competence grades: 285 candidates (15%) received Class I (Distinction), 1,107 candidates (57%) earned Class II (Credit), and 170 candidates (9%) achieved Class III (Pass) grades,” Oyesigye revealed.

The Minister of Education and Sports applauded female candidates for achieving excellent grades and registering a higher completion rate. The Executive Secretary noted, “The overall completion rate for female candidates was 84%, compared to 80% for males. This indicates that female trainees who choose TVET programs are passionate about their studies and perform well.” He further revealed that females excelled in certain academic disciplines more than males, stating, “At the diploma level, female candidates outperformed their male counterparts in National Diplomas in Fashion and Garment Design, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, and all Business Diploma programmes,” Oyesigye revealed.

The Minister expressed her satisfaction with the increasing number of female students in TVET institutions and the impressive performance of the female candidates undertaking Engineering programmes. “As you have heard, not only has female enrollment in these courses increased, but their performance in these programs has also surpassed that of their male counterparts,” the Minister explained. She reiterated the government’s commitment to affirmative action by offering scholarships for female students pursuing TVET-based courses and professions. “The other intervention we have implemented as the government to promote female uptake of TVET is the creation of a special scholarship for females and Special Needs Education learners since the financial year 2022/2023. For females, this scholarship targeted attracting increased enrolment into what we refer to as “scarce skills” such as mechanical engineering, road construction, automotive mechanics, architecture, and the like,” the Minister added. The Minister further emphasized the need to continuously encourage more young women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering and construction.

The UBTEB Executive Secretary reaffirmed the board’s commitment to competence-based assessments, emphasizing practical skills over theoretical knowledge. "Our examinations are designed to evaluate students' ability to perform real-world tasks, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation. We are also collaborating closely with industries and employers to align our curricula and assessments with market demands," the Executive Secretary stated. He also highlighted UBTEB’s ongoing innovation in assessment methods, which include practical examinations, field-based assessments, and project-based evaluations that reflect real work environments in various industries. The board plans to enhance its collaboration with the private sector and professional bodies, to provide more internships and hands-on training opportunities for students.

The Honourable Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to vocational and technical education, highlighting various initiatives aimed at strengthening this sector. These initiatives include increased funding for vocational institutions, the expansion of infrastructure, and ongoing capacity building for instructors. The Minister emphasized that the Government is committed to equipping TVET institutions in a phased manner.  “Our approach is to make the existing TVET institutions fully operational and functional by ensuring that not only the basic infrastructure and equipment are in place, but also skilled trainers. We are implementing this in a phased manner based on available resources. As the government, we want to ensure that each TVET institution has in place an adequate number of workshops, lecture rooms, and staff houses as well as accommodation for the trainees – both females and males. For instance, we are currently undertaking projects to provide additional infrastructure and equipment to at least fifteen vocational training institutions, VTIs,” the Minister stated.

The release of the UBTEB July-August 2024 examination results showcases Uganda's progress in developing a skilled workforce prepared to meet both national and global demands. The Hon. Minister's emphasis on the significance of vocational training, coupled with students' strong performance are clear indicators that Uganda is on the right path toward achieving its Vision 2040 goals. 

UBTEB congratulates all candidates who completed their studies and encourages them to apply the acquired skills to build Uganda’s future.

 

“Setting Pace for Quality Assessment”

 

PRINCIPAL COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Phone: 0782435903, Email: narasi.kambaho@ubteb.go.ug