The Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, has urged 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 the results for both the NLSC and the old curriculum simultaneously, prompting mixed reactions from students, parents, and educators.
Many struggled to interpret the new grading system, which differs significantly from the traditional aggregates and divisions used in previous years.
Harriet Nalwanga, a concerned parent, admitted to having difficulty 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, advised his fellows to remain calm, reassuring them that the system will become more familiar over time.
“This kind of grading system is not as complicated as they think,” he noted.
While releasing the results at State House Nakasero in Kampala, first lady Janet Museveni acknowledged public concerns but emphasized the importance of accepting 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. This unhealthy competition often led to 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 said.
Museveni highlighted that the new curriculum focuses on developing competencies in cognitive (intellectual), psychomotor (practical skills), and affective (emotional and social) learning domains. She
emphasized that learners under this curriculum gain the ability for self-directed learning.
The minister also directed the selection committee to ensure that students who sat for the UCE examination under the old curriculum and qualified for post-UCE placement are not left out.
“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 stated.
The new lower secondary curriculum was initially rolled out on February 3, 2020, but its implementation was disrupted by the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March that same year.
Under the revised grading system, candidates are assessed as follows:
- A – Exceptional Achievement
- B – Outstanding Performance
- C – Satisfactory Performance
- D – Basic Understanding
- E – Elementary Understanding
A is equivalent to D1, D2
B is equivalent to C3, C4
C is equivalent to C5,C6
D is equivalent to P7,P8
E is equivalent to F9
The introduction of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in 2020 at the lower secondary level necessitated assessment reforms. The new evaluation model incorporates Continuous Assessment (CA) and Project Work, in addition to the existing End-of-Cycle Examination. Despite initial confusion, education officials remain confident that the revised system will enhance learning outcomes and better prepare students for the future.