By Nakanwagi Annet,
The Uganda National Examinations Board has on Friday 30th July ,2021 released the 2020 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results.
The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, who also doubles as the First Lady, at State House Nakasero.
The examinations were done from 1st March up to 6th April 2021 and a total of 333,396 candidates were registered for UCE exams however, a total of 330,592 sat for the exams and 2,804 were absentees (didn’t do the exams)
The UNEB Executive Secretary, Dan Odongo noted that candidature decreased by 4,324 (-1.3%) from 337,720 in 2019 to 333,396 in 2020.
Of these, 148,128 (44.4%) were USE beneficiaries. The number of male candidates registered was 166,744 (50.01%) and that of the females was 166,652 (49.99%) .
UNEB attributed the decrease in candidature to some private schools which failed to reopen in October, 2020, female students who had been married in the lockdown, parents who did not return learners to schools due to the fear of COVID-19 infections and teachers especially in private schools who had abandoned teaching for other income generating activities, among others.
The board however, recorded a slight difference in gender parities in the ratio of male to female candidates who sat for the UCE 2020 exams with the difference of only 92 more males than females.
In 2019, the number of females had surpassed that of the males by 398.
According to UNEB, the general performance improved but it was realised that girls outperformed boys in English subject only and the girls’ performance in science subjects i.e. Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics was poor. Chemistry remains the worst done of all.
Odongo disclosed that UNEB has withheld a total of 1,292 results due to examination malpractice but was quick to note that the affected candidates will be given a fair hearing.
Speaking at the release of UCE2020 resukts function, the minister for education and sports Janet Kataha Musevei revealed government plans to open over 90 new secondary schools across the country.
“My ministry shall be ready to commission at least ninety four (94) new fully government owned and complete Secondary Schools . Each of these schools is already staffed with 31 teaching staff including the Headteacher,” minister Kataha said.
She congratulated candidates who performed well in the exams and implored those whose performance was not as expected not to lose hopes but in stead should determined to pursue their goals.
“For those who were not as successful as you expected from your U.C.E., I encourage you not to lose hope. As long as you are healthy, God will make a way for you through which your life goals can be pursued – do not give up,” JanetMuseveni implored.
Notably, schools’ headteachers, students and parents were warned about the gatherings in the name of celebration whether at the school(s) premises or anywhere else in suspense that this act will increase the spread of corona virus.
