Over 1.3 million students set to sit national exams as UNEB unveils 2024 timetable
According to UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo, a total of 1,320,400 candidates have registered for this year’s exams, a 7.8% increase from last year’s 1,224,371 candidates.
More than 1.3 million students across Uganda are gearing up for their national exams as the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) releases the 2024 examination timetable.
This year marks a significant shift as students will experience the New Lower Secondary Curriculum (NLSC) for the first time in the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams, while others will sit transitional exams based on the old curriculum.
According to UNEB Executive Director Dan N. Odongo, a total of 1,320,400 candidates have registered for this year’s exams, a 7.8% increase from last year’s 1,224,371 candidates.
The exams span four categories: Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), and transitional UCE exams.
Among those registered, 51.1% are female and 48.9% male. Notably, the number of candidates for the UACE exams has surged by 28.4%, with 142,017 students registered compared to 110,579 last year. PLE also saw a 6.6% increase, with 798,763 students set to sit for their exams.
The UCE exams, under the new curriculum, will begin on October 11, 2024, and run until November 8, 2024.
For those sitting the transitional exams, their dates extend until November 15. PLE is scheduled for November 4 to 7, while UACE candidates will take their exams between November 8 and December 6, 2024.
To enhance student assessment, UNEB has introduced new subjects like Ugandan Sign Language (USL) and Physical Education (PE). Additionally, for the first time, exams in foreign languages like Latin and Arabic will include assessments in listening and speaking skills.
UNEB is emphasizing security and the integrity of the exams, warning students to steer clear of any malpractice.
“The success of these examinations depends on all stakeholders – students, parents, teachers, and school heads,” Odongo noted, urging everyone to stay vigilant and ensure that students receive proper guidance during this critical period.
As exam day draws near, millions of students prepare to showcase their knowledge and skills, ushering in a new chapter in Uganda’s education landscape.
