Nurses, midwives begin promotional exams

NATIONAL | EDUCATION

PIC: The Chairperson of the Board of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examination Board Mariam Walusimbi (left) and the executive secretary Helen Kataratambi Mukakarisa while addressing journalists during a press conference at their head offices in Naguru on September 11, 2017. (Credit:Nancy Nanyonga)

A total of 13,533 candidates from 79 nursing training schools in Uganda have today begun their week-long promotional examinations.

Of the 13,533 candidates, 1,224 registered for diploma while 12,309 registered for certificates. The students are expected to sit exams in fields of nursing, midwifery, comprehensive nursing, mental health nursing and public health nursing, among others.

Speaking to journalists at their offices in Ntinda today, Helen Mukakarisa Kataratambi the executive secretary of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Boards (UNMEB), said the ongoing exams mark the ninth series of promotional examinations conducted by the board so far.

"These examinations are meant to keep students updated on the skills they acquire in the classrooms. When we started them (exams) many were failing, but they have gradually improved due to the feedback that is given to them," she said.

Kataratambi, who was unable to provide statistics of students that fail these exams, said once released, the results are disseminated to respective schools and subsequently to the students.

A student, she said, is given up to three chances to retake a particular exam in the event that they do not perform to their expectation. 

UNMEB was established in 2005 by the Ministry of Education and Sports with the aim of streamlining, regulating and co-ordinating examinations and is also responsible for awarding certificates in the nurses and midwifery profession in Uganda.

Annually, the board conducts four sets of examinations, two of which are promotional and state final exams. Currently, the board has conducted 23 series of state final exams and nine series of promotional exams.