Kampala, Uganda – The Ministry of Education and Sports has clarified the new grading system for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations, which has been introduced as part of the country’s shift towards a competence-based curriculum.
According to Peter Ogwang, State Minister for Sports, speaking on behalf of Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni, the new grading system is designed to provide a more accurate assessment of students’ abilities, focusing on their capacity to apply knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
“The new grading system is a significant departure from the traditional system, which was based on content recall rather than practical skills,” Ogwang said.
Under the new system, students will be awarded letter grades ranging from A to E, with A representing exceptional achievement and E indicating elementary understanding. The grades will be based on a combination of Continuous Assessment (CA) scores and End-of-Cycle (EoC) examination scores.
Ogwang explained that the new grading system is as follows:
- A: Exceptional Achievement, demonstrating an extraordinary level of competence in applying innovatively and creatively the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- B: Outstanding Performance, demonstrating a high level of competence in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- C: Satisfactory Performance, demonstrating an adequate level of competence in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- D: Basic Understanding, demonstrating a minimum level of competence in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
- E: Elementary Understanding, demonstrating below the basic level of competence in applying the acquired knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
To be eligible for a UCE certificate, students must sit for at least eight subjects and obtain a minimum grade of D in one of them. The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) will provide transcripts to all candidates, featuring their photograph, biodata, subject codes, and grades.
The transcript will also indicate the candidate’s achievement level in each subject, as well as their project work scores. The project work is assessed separately and presented as a standalone component on the certificate.
Ogwang noted that the new grading system is part of Uganda’s efforts to enhance the quality and relevance of its education system, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and competencies required to succeed in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) will provide selection lists for Senior Five, which will be based on the new grading system. The selection process will be computerized, ensuring fairness and transparency.
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