By.Katongole Arnold
The academic year in Uganda according to the Ministry of Education and Sports comes to an end after three terms of studies, first, second and third term respectively. Two terms of the three have been completed and today Monday 18 September2023,according to the Ministry of Education and Sports calendar kick starts third term of the academic year 2023, which is the last term of this academic year.
Last week, parents and students flooded shopping and trade centers to get hold of scholastic and personal requirements a head of a term that requires a lot of sobriety from the students ahead of their promotional exams internally and national. Parents in mammoth numbers have been seen in the long bank cues, trying to access tellers to pay students’ fees despite the presence of new technological advancement that aid paying fees like easy pay, mobile money and flexipay using student generated codes from schools, some parents prefer banks ad they are skeptical to the new advancement of paying fees.
- INSIDE UNEB’S NEW REGISTRATION GUIDELINES FOR S4 AND S6 CANDIDATES
WRITES RAPHEAL LUBANGAKENE Last month, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) issued fresh directions on how this year’s registration for exams will be conducted. To restrain fraud, UNEB has set up a new desktop electronic registration system for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). UNEB Executive Director Dan Odongo believes the new system will trap deceptive registration attempts and also told of repercussions of those caught in the act. “The results of any candidate whose registration is found to be fraudulent will be withheld,” warns Odongo in his statement dated April 1. The Curious Cases of Retakers, Mature Entry Candidates and Examination Halls In 2024, more than 6,000 students failed to attain the UCE certificate. How those students would redo or be assessed has been a mystery to many, as there existed no clarity on the situation. But a recent statement from UNEB to all stakeholders cleared that mystic air. “Those who wish to repeat must have submitted complete CA scores for S.3 and S.4 in all subjects taken and must also have completed the required project work,” announced UNEB. Therefore, those who sat for the UCE under the new curriculum but failed to obtain a certificate and the ones willing to repeat voluntarily will only be allowed to re-sit the exams if they have complete Continuous Assessment (CA) scores and project work for both Senior Three and Senior Four. UNEB also indicated that the affected learners failed to attain at least a grade D in one or more subjects, which automatically disqualified them from receiving the UCE certificate. But UNEB and Ministry of Education officials were unable to provide instant direction on any next steps for those who had failed under the new curriculum. Eventually, to remedy the situation, a transitional examination was offered to change fortunes. UNEB also laid conditions for mature-age entrants under the freshened system. According to Jennifer Kalule, the UNEB spokesperson, whoever desires to register candidature now under the mature age entry scheme must have at least enrolled in Senior Three. “The new curriculum requires that to sit for the UCE, a candidate must have continuous assessment and project scores spanning two years, specifically from Senior Three and Senior Four. This also applies to mature-age candidates, meaning they must attend classes on a daily basis for the full two years,” Kalule explained. And only Ugandan citizens aged 20 years and above will be eligible to register under the mature-age or private adult category. Such candidates must present written permission from the UNEB Executive Director before registration. “This condition applies to Ugandan citizens only. Requests must be made in writing and accompanied by authentic documentary proof of age.” informs UNEB. UNEB also warned against the use of forged documents such as birth certificates or national IDs, noting that offenders risk disqualification and potential legal consequences. But then again, how will non-citizens such as refugees and legal immigrants willing to enroll for candidature under mature entry be catered for? In a critical development, halls have been left out. UNEB says, “With the advent of the New Lower Secondary Curriculum (NLSC), no existing public halls shall be allowed to register UCE candidates for 2025. Schools are encouraged to apply for their centre numbers.” The board also stresses that centers are strictly prohibited from registering candidates who have not been studying at their own school unless they have received express permission from the executive director. The board also made clear the requirements for UACE registration, stating that only successful UCE candidates of 2023 or earlier, or those with an equivalent qualification, will be eligible to register, provided they have completed an Advanced Level course of at least two years. Registration Deadlines, Surcharges and Extra Expectations This year, normal registration that started on April 1 will close on May 31. A base fee of shs 164,000 and shs 186,000 for each UCE and each UACE candidate is charged, respectively. While an eligible private student is being charged shs 18,000. Those that shall register between June 1 and June 30 are to incur a surcharge of 50% of the base charge. Those registering between July 1 and July 31 will incur a 100 percent surcharge. Late registration ends on July 31. And centers with outstanding fee balances will not receive any examination materials, according to the circular. Each center is required to register a minimum of 10 candidates at each level, and failure to meet that number shall require those centres to gain permission from the UNEB Executive Director to register their learners as private candidates under another approved centre. UNEB expects a maximum of 499 candidates per center, be it public or private secondary schools or training centres. Candidates are expected to maintain their respective optional subjects as well. The clock is ticking – the examination board expects full compliance from all stakeholders, especially the wishful candidates who must submit their complete assessments and full, accurate details in time to avoid any future inconveniences. - O’ LEVEL CURRICULUM SET TO CHANGE AGAIN
BY RAPHAEL LUBANGAKENE Pioneer students of the new ordinary-level competence-based curriculum sat their final exams last year, but a few challenges remain that experts at the Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) believe will hinder the quality of students produced by secondary schools. According to experts, heavy content load remains a major problem, and they are currently collecting feedback from stakeholders, including teachers, students, and analysts, to remove repetitive content in several subjects. George Wilson Ssabavuma, a curriculum specialist at NCDC, says there is still room for improving the curriculum even after initially removing some redundant content found in most of the subjects in the old one. “When we initially designed the curriculum, we believed we had significantly reduced the content load by removing redundant and repetitive material; however, the feedback we’ve received suggests that there’s still room for further improvement, improvement,”Ssabavuma informed. Ssabavuma added that although some teachers initially resisted the new curriculum, many have since come to appreciate its benefits after implementation. He noted that working with streamlined yet comprehensive content has helped teachers realize its effectiveness in enhancing both teaching and learning. Ssebavuma also notes the impending review will seek to make the curriculum more manageable for both learners and teachers, without compromising the core competencies and skills the education system is designed to deliver. Reports from the Auditor General on the implementation of Uganda’s new lower secondary curriculum also point to inadequate teacher preparation, a shortage of textbooks and learning materials, and overcrowded classrooms. Apparently, those instructors who did not receive sufficient training are facing a big challenge in carrying out continuous assessments. Therefore, the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) employed a cascade model. This involved training master trainers, who were then tasked with training select teachers from various schools. These selected teachers were expected to return to their schools and train their colleagues. However, this model has largely fallen short of expectations and has proven ineffective. Among other alternatives suggested by experts are organizing in-service teacher training sessions during school holidays and adopting the center coordinating model, which they believe could produce better results. - TYRES FOR QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
By: Shiba Nakakande Art4Change, a platform, not only amplifies children’s art in school but also harnesses content creation for quality education. On 19th April, 2025, the 100-tyre challenge was ended. The challenge was to collect tyres to build an eco-friendly playground for children in Kisima Junior School. Over 400 children are to have access to the playground. Under Early Childhood Education, a playground is among the most important aspects for a child’s genesis in education. Though ECD is driven by play-based learning, some centers in Uganda lack playgrounds to incorporate play, which is a disservice to children. Early childhood playgrounds for toddlers or preschoolers encourage skill development through interactive play, sensory experiences, challenging activities, imagination, and independence. On 16th April, 2025, the Art4Change team had a visit to the ACF Vine school, where children brought their imagination skills to life through a session with Hannah Arinaitwe, the founder of Art4Change. From joyful book-reading moments to creative drawing sessions and self-expression with the little ones.
According to Little Tikes, playground equipment provides vital safe spaces where children can be themselves and have fun while developing crucial cognitive, emotional, physical, and social skills. In May 2024, the Ugandan government approved a new Early Childhood Development (ECD) policy, focusing on providing care and education for children aged 0-5. This policy, developed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, aims to provide a strong foundation for young children’s development and prepare them for primary education. The policy also seeks to regulate learning hours and fees in pre-primary schools.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. The team and I are on our way to deliver all the collected materials at Kisima Junior School. LET’S BUILD THIS ECO PLAYGROUND,” posted Hannah.
Uganda became the first country to inaugurate its own National Play Day, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to promoting play-based learning.
- UNEB: EMPHASIS ON ELECTIVES
BY: Shiba Nakakande Electives, also known as optional subjects, are where a student can choose a subject of their own to make up the number of subjects required at registration at Ordinary Level. The Uganda National Examinations Board emphasizes the need for schools to guide students in choosing electives to avoid picking those that conflict with the timetable. This can be inconvenient for the candidate since they cannot sit for two examinations at once. PLE registration According to UNEB, any pupil who has spent more than one term in a post-primary institution or secondary school is isnot elligible to register for PLE. PLE registration is 34,000 Ugandan shillings. (Thirty four Thousand Shillings) UCE registration There are three elective subject groups from which candidates choose: Elective group one has Ugandan sign language, Kiswahili, literature in English, local language, and foreign language. Elective group II has performing arts, arts and design, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Physical nutrition, Food and technology, Information and communication technology, and technology and design. Elective group III has Christian Religious Education (CRE) or Islamic Religious Education (IRE). “Candidates with special needs can select at least three subjects from at least two of the groups. A candidate can choose one or two electives rom any one or two groups,” noted UNEB UCE candidates, under the lower secondary curriculum, are expected to submit a minimum of eight subjects and a maximum of nine subjects. Candidates’ signatures are a must before their information is uploaded as verification; also, parents have been encouraged to cross-check their or their children’s information and follow up with their registration. UNEB, in charge of registering students in their final year of study in primary and secondary, has clarified the requirements needed for students to be registered. UACE registration The current UACE candidates are the last cohort to sit for examination under the old curriculum. Senior six candidates must register for General paper and either three principal subjects and subsidiary mathematics or three principal subjects and subsidiary computer. Each candidate should register for a maximum of five subjects; no candidate should register for more than three principal subjects and two subsidiary subjects. Repeaters and private candidates are advised to register for General paper and at least one principal subject. Due to high numbers of candidates and scarcity of science laboratories, more than two shifts for practical examinations are allowed. With special permission from the UNEB Executive Director, a school with a UNEB center number is allowed to register candidates from one without a center number. Candidates’ choices for institutions and schools are to be uploaded during registration. Normal registration closes on May 31, 2025. From June 1 to June 30, 2025, late registration with a 50 percent surcharge will run, while the final late registration (with a 100 percent surcharge) will be from July 1 to July 31, 2025. - PRESIDENT MUSEVENI LAUNCHES RESEARCH AND INNOVATION WEEK AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
The Research and Innovation week was launched at Makerere University from Tuesday the 8th to Thursday the 10th of April 2025. A showcase of the different ideas from young people about science and arts at Freedom Square and the main building. The week is running under agricultural transformation, food security and livelihoods, health and well-being, science and technology, natural resources management, urbanization and climate change, cultural heritage and creative arts, governance, social justice and human rights, and economic growth and innovation. The launch was honored by H.E. Yoweri Tibuhabuwra Kaguta Museveni as the chief guest and the First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni. He visited the different exhibitions at the event. “Government sponsorships at the university should be 70% for science students. This isn’t because arts people are not important but we need to survive I was happy to see flashes of this as I toured the exhibition stalls today. I would, therefore, like to thank the university administration for responding to the calls of our society. The money we are allocating for innovations and research is merely endozo (jaribu, a sip, a taste); we shall provide more in the future.” Said Museveni.
Research and innovation play a vital role in unlocking Uganda’s economic potential, creating new opportunities for dignified and productive employment across key sectors, and bringing more people into the money economy.
Lorna Magara, the chairperson of Makerere University Council, emphasized the essence of the products displayed at the expo designed to enhance productivity, empower individuals, and stimulate wealth creation at all levels of society.
“With the establishment of the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund, the Government of Uganda has reaffirmed its dedication to investing in research that addresses our most pressing challenges and positions Uganda as a leader in innovation-driven development,” stated the First Lady.
The guild president of Makerere University, James Church Hill Sentamu, took his appreciation for the X application and the Muk RIF for the good work but equally advocated that students get even more representation and engagement in these ventures. “WE BUILD FOR THE FUTURE,” posted James.
The university received a research and innovation fund of 30 billion Uganda shillings. The vice chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Barnabus Nawangwe, requested that the university receive such a fund annually.
Schools started receiving students especially those in boarding sections yesterday, Sunday 17 September, 2023. The reporting process is expected to take a fortnight for all students and schools to harmonize the academic schedule throughout the entire country.
Like all third terms, this term is a determinant and yardstick for academic appraisal for the entire academic year at all levels from primary and secondary schools and it comes with expectations that vary regarding the level your at but all aiming to achieve academic appraisal for school goers, pupils in primary and students in secondary.
EXPECTATIONS
For all continuing students, including semi candidates schools will set exams for these students including beginning of term, mid term and end of year. End of year examinations is the most important among all these , where students are credited upon performance to the next class. Third term is a trap that tests for comprehension of students to the content covered during the entire academic year , because the exams cover all content taught in a certain class to get promoted to the next class.
For all candidates, this is the term to get to their names to the records of the national examinations board, Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), at the level where they a at.
For P.7 candidates, they are expected to be going through different revision classes to remind them of the present content and forgotten content covered in lower classes , where teachers seek to pass on new answering techniques to their students before sitting for their Primary Leaving Examinations that start on 7 to 9 November 2023.
For S.4 Candidates O’ Level , they are expected to go thorough different facilitations and resource drills in different subjects to bring them up to speed in theory and practical lessons, techniques and approaches. The candidates at this level will sit for their examinations ,Uganda Certificate of Education which will commence from Friday 13 October 2023 which will be briefing and examinations shall start on 16 October 2023 and end on 9 November 22023.
Lastly,S.6 Candidates, these sit for the highest examinations at secondary level. Commonly called A level candidates, they are classified into Arts and science students and all have different subject combinations. Teachers to these students are likely to complete the syllabus and get involved into drills of facilitations from different examiners to prep for final Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations which will kick off with candidates briefing on Friday 10 November 2023 to 1 December 2023.
Important Dates for stakeholders to note in third term,
Students visitation days, these are dates where parents go to schools to visit their children and pass on encouraging words and also check on what their children have been doing at school.
Candidates prayer days, this is a special day for all candidates as they get blessed and handed to the hands of God as they get to face their final exams.
Breakoffs, This is also important for parents to know when the students shall break off , this helps in easy planning and also keep a vigilante of those days on their schedules
