By The Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, has called on Ugandans to embrace the newly introduced grading system under the New Lower Secondary Curriculum (NLSC), following the release of the 2024 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination results.
On Tuesday, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) released results for both the new and old curricula simultaneously, sparking mixed reactions from students, parents, and educators. Many struggled to interpret the updated grading system, which significantly differs from the traditional aggregates and divisions that have been used for decades.
Harriet Nalwanga, a concerned parent, admitted to facing challenges in understanding her child’s performance.
“Even when my child would bring a report card home, I found it hard to interpret. So, I am not surprised that I don’t understand these results, but we will adapt. The challenge will come when selecting subject combinations at A’ Level,” she said.
Similarly, Samson Okware, another parent, urged his peers to remain calm, reassuring them that the system will become more familiar over time.
“This kind of grading system is not as complicated as people think,” he noted.
Minister Museveni: Change Is Necessary for Quality Education
While unveiling the results at State House Nakasero, First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni acknowledged public concerns but emphasized the need to embrace the reforms.
“I call on the country to accept this change, which is for the better. For a long time, we have been accustomed to aggregates and divisions that ranked schools, leading to unhealthy competition and unethical practices. I am happy that the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and UNEB have introduced an approach that eliminates ranking candidates based on divisions,” she stated.
Museveni explained that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) focuses on developing learners holistically by assessing cognitive (intellectual), psychomotor (practical skills), and affective (emotional and social) learning domains. She emphasized that this approach equips students with self-directed learning skills, preparing them for real-world challenges.
Additionally, she directed the selection committee to ensure that students who sat for the UCE exams under the old curriculum and qualified for post-UCE placement are not left behind.
“For those learners who did not take advantage of this last opportunity under the previous curriculum, I encourage them to explore other education and training opportunities, particularly through the vocational pathway. You do not have to drop out of formal education,” she advised.
Breakdown of the New Grading System
The New Lower Secondary Curriculum (NLSC) was officially introduced on February 3, 2020, but its full implementation was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised grading system categorizes candidates as follows:
- A – Exceptional Achievement (equivalent to D1, D2 in the old system)
- B – Outstanding Performance (equivalent to C3, C4)
- C – Satisfactory Performance (equivalent to C5, C6)
- D – Basic Understanding (equivalent to P7, P8)
- E – Elementary Understanding (equivalent to F9)
The new evaluation model incorporates Continuous Assessment (CA) and Project Work alongside the traditional End-of-Cycle Examination to provide a more comprehensive measure of a student’s abilities.
Despite initial confusion, education officials remain confident that the revised system will enhance learning outcomes, eliminate unnecessary pressure on students, and better prepare them for higher education and the workforce.
