A’level performance improves
Mar 10, 2011
CANDIDATES who sat for Senior Six examinations last year registered an improved performance compared to those of the previous year.
By Conan Businge
and Francis Kagolo
CANDIDATES who sat for Senior Six examinations last year registered an improved performance compared to those of the previous year.
The results, which were released yesterday by the education minister, show that there was a slight improvement in performance.
More students qualified for the award of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education certificates this time, accounting for 98.8% of those who sat for the examinations, compared to 98.6% in 2009.
The results were handed over to the education ministry by the Uganda National Examination Board’s (UNEB), Secretary Mathew Bukenya, and chairman Prof. Lutalo Bbosa. They were flanked by Bukenya’s deputy, Dan Odong, and education ministry section directors.
However, the improvement in performance was overshadowed by the fact that less than 20% of candidates had taken on science courses. The minister described this situation as a ‘risk’ to the nation.
The arts (humanities) combinations, which were dominated by girls, took a lion’s share. This implies that fewer students, especially girls, will compete for science courses, since the Government only sponsors science courses in public universities.
Bitamazire, in her address, said: “The Government is considering reviewing the science syllabus at A’level and the subject combinations, to make the A’level course focused and practically-oriented for better application of knowledge and skills.â€
A total of 101,495 candidates registered for the final examinations, compared to 98,217 candidates in 2009 - an increase of 3,278. But of these, only 99,904 candidates sat the examinations compared to 96,741 in 2009.
About 62.5% of all the candidates got at least two principal passes. This means they are eligible for admission to universities.
A total of 61,820 students have qualified for tertiary institutions, compared to 60,370 in 2009 - an increase of 1,450.
For one to be admitted to a university, he or she must have obtained two principal passes.
Female students posted a slightly higher pass rate, although males have performed better overall.
Female students performed better than males at the A to E grades level in entrepreneurship education, Islamic and Christian religious education, geography, literature in English, mathematics, biology and foods and nutrition. However, male candidates were better in economics, physics, chemistry and fine art.
Significant improvement in performance was registered in history, entrepreneurship education, agriculture, chemistry, biology and food and nutrition.
Bukenya told the press yesterday that there was a high quality of work presented by candidates from various schools, “indicating adequate preparation of candidates in those centres.â€
Bukenya added that: “poor communication skills also affected the quality of answers, especially in questions that required extended essay writing.â€
Candidates with a poor command of the English language had difficulty in interpreting questions and often missed out key words that defined the issues to be dealt, according to UNEB.
The UACE examination requires a candidate to demonstrate maturity, ability to apply knowledge, to analyse and give value judgment.
“These skills were demonstrated in schools where teaching appeared to be effective, but were lacking in scripts of candidates from many rural centres,†Bukenya added.
Meanwhile, Lugazi Homeland College had its centre withdrawn for “serious administrative flaws inimical to the proper conduct of UNEB examinationsâ€.
More 68 candidates from various schools across the country had their results withheld pending investigations for alleged examination malpractice.
The Public Universities Joint Admissions Board will in a few weeks’ time begin the selection process for students to admit on merit.
and Francis Kagolo
CANDIDATES who sat for Senior Six examinations last year registered an improved performance compared to those of the previous year.
The results, which were released yesterday by the education minister, show that there was a slight improvement in performance.
More students qualified for the award of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education certificates this time, accounting for 98.8% of those who sat for the examinations, compared to 98.6% in 2009.
The results were handed over to the education ministry by the Uganda National Examination Board’s (UNEB), Secretary Mathew Bukenya, and chairman Prof. Lutalo Bbosa. They were flanked by Bukenya’s deputy, Dan Odong, and education ministry section directors.
However, the improvement in performance was overshadowed by the fact that less than 20% of candidates had taken on science courses. The minister described this situation as a ‘risk’ to the nation.
The arts (humanities) combinations, which were dominated by girls, took a lion’s share. This implies that fewer students, especially girls, will compete for science courses, since the Government only sponsors science courses in public universities.
Bitamazire, in her address, said: “The Government is considering reviewing the science syllabus at A’level and the subject combinations, to make the A’level course focused and practically-oriented for better application of knowledge and skills.â€
A total of 101,495 candidates registered for the final examinations, compared to 98,217 candidates in 2009 - an increase of 3,278. But of these, only 99,904 candidates sat the examinations compared to 96,741 in 2009.
About 62.5% of all the candidates got at least two principal passes. This means they are eligible for admission to universities.
A total of 61,820 students have qualified for tertiary institutions, compared to 60,370 in 2009 - an increase of 1,450.
For one to be admitted to a university, he or she must have obtained two principal passes.
Female students posted a slightly higher pass rate, although males have performed better overall.
Female students performed better than males at the A to E grades level in entrepreneurship education, Islamic and Christian religious education, geography, literature in English, mathematics, biology and foods and nutrition. However, male candidates were better in economics, physics, chemistry and fine art.
Significant improvement in performance was registered in history, entrepreneurship education, agriculture, chemistry, biology and food and nutrition.
Bukenya told the press yesterday that there was a high quality of work presented by candidates from various schools, “indicating adequate preparation of candidates in those centres.â€
Bukenya added that: “poor communication skills also affected the quality of answers, especially in questions that required extended essay writing.â€
Candidates with a poor command of the English language had difficulty in interpreting questions and often missed out key words that defined the issues to be dealt, according to UNEB.
The UACE examination requires a candidate to demonstrate maturity, ability to apply knowledge, to analyse and give value judgment.
“These skills were demonstrated in schools where teaching appeared to be effective, but were lacking in scripts of candidates from many rural centres,†Bukenya added.
Meanwhile, Lugazi Homeland College had its centre withdrawn for “serious administrative flaws inimical to the proper conduct of UNEB examinationsâ€.
More 68 candidates from various schools across the country had their results withheld pending investigations for alleged examination malpractice.
The Public Universities Joint Admissions Board will in a few weeks’ time begin the selection process for students to admit on merit.