Over 80 percent pass UBTEB exams

KAMPALA - At least 82 percent of candidates who sat the July/August national Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) exams successfully completed their programmes and attained all the required competencies.

Onesmus Oyesigye, the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTE) executive secretary, said these represented 1,562 candidates of a total of 1,926 candidates that sat the exams.

“A total of 285 candidates (15%) scored Class I (Distinction), 1,107 candidates (57%) scored Class II (credit) and 170 candidates (9%) scored Class III (Pass) grades,” he said while presenting the results at State House Nakasero in Kampala on Thursday (October 24).

The event was presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, and attended by other government officials, including primary education state minister Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu.

Oyesigye said that overall, the completion rate for female candidates was better at 84% compared to male with 80%.

The event was presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, and attended by other government officials, including primary education state minister Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu. (Credit: PPU)

“This is an indication that female trainees that opt for TVET programmes have passion for them and pursue their studies well."

Considering the performance at diploma level, female candidates outcompeted their male counterparts in National Diploma in Fashion and Garment Design, National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, National Diploma in Architecture and in all Business diploma programmes.

All candidates who successfully acquired full competences are expected to join the world of work or proceed to pursue further education in their respective disciplines.

The 340 (18%) who did not acquire all competencies will be given a chance to return to class and perfect their competencies when next examinations are offered.

According to Oyesigye, the completion rates of candidates who pursued Technical Diploma programmes were negatively affected by poor performance in Thermodynamics, Computer-aided Design, Engineering Surveying and Engineering Mathematics. 

“The performance of such trainees generally arises from poor performance in Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) in high school and lower secondary education. It remains a challenge even when the students join technical colleges,” said the UBTEB chief.