UGANDA BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL EXAMINATIONS BOARD

(UBTEB)

THE STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF THE NOV/DEC 2019 END

OF PROGRAM EXAMINATIONS RESULTS FOR UGANDA

COMMUNITY POLYTECHNICS CERTIFICATE (UCPC) AND

ADVANCED CRAFT PROGRAMS

BY

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

07TH FEBRUARY 2020

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THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY’S STATEMENT ON THE

RELEASE OF RESULTS FOR THE NOV/DEC 2019 UCPC &

ADVANCED CRAFT EXAMINATIONS OF THE UGANDA

BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL EXAMINATIONS BOARD

(UBTEB), 07TH FEBRUARY, 2020.

Hon. Minister of Education and Sports,

Hon. Ministers of State for Education and Sports,

The Permanent Secretary MoES,

Members of the MoES Technical Team,

Hon. Members of Parliament present,

The Chairperson and Members of the Board of UBTEB,

Executive Secretaries and Representatives of other Examination

Boards,

The Directors of other Agencies,

Heads of Institutions Present,

The UBTEB Secretariat Staff,

Members of the Press,

Distinguished invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

1.0. INTRODUCTION

Hon. Minister of Education and Sports, the Uganda Business and

Technical Examination Board (UBTEB) conducted its 15th series of the

final year examinations from 18th November to 14th December, 2019.

The examinations for November/December 2019 were done in 556

accredited examination centres countrywide. A total of 82,356 (28,177

females & 54,179 Males) registered for these examinations in the

following programs;

i) Business Diploma & Certificate Programs

ii) Physical & Biological Diploma & Certificate Programs

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iii) Technical Diploma Programs

iv) Technical National Certificate Programs

v) Technical Advanced Craft Programs and

vi) Technical Uganda Community Polytechnics Programs

Hon. Minister, the Board is presenting to you today the first batch of the

examinations results, specifically for the Uganda Community

Polytechnics Certificate (UCPC) and Advanced Craft Programs. The

UCPC programs are for Community Polytechnics and Technical

Schools that admit students after completing Primary Seven (PLE).

These results are released early to allow the UCPC Certifcate holders an

opportunity to be admitted into BTVET institutions together with those

who have completed Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE). The

advanced Craft certificate programs are released early to facilitate

further carrier progression.

I therefore take this opportunity to present to you examination results for

candidates who have successfully completed their programs of study in

accordance with Regulation 9 (2) of the statutory instrument No. 9 of

2009 for official release to the public.

2.0. CANDIDATURE BY REGISTRATION AND SITTING

Hon Minister, a total of 5,251 (991 Females & 4,260 Males) candidates

registered for UCPC and Advanced Craft programs. Out of 5,251 who

registered 4,895 representing 93% sat the examinations while 356

candidates representing 7% were absent. This category of examinations

results were administered in 258 Examination Centres. A total of

4,102(84%) successfully completed their studies while 728(16%) have

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not aquired all the competences and will attempt the papers when next

offered.

2.1 UCPC CANDIDATURE

Hon Minister, a total of 4,549 (896 Females & 3,653 Males) candidates

registered for UCPC programs out of which 4,228 (93%) sat for

examinations in 160 Examination Centres. Out of the 4,228 who sat for

examinations, 3,547 (84%) successfully completed their studies and can

proceed to the world of work for apprenticeship or enrol to upgrade to

the relevant National Certificate programs while 681(16%) did not

acquire full competences. Details of the results are indicated in Table

2.1.

Table 2.1: Uganda Community Polytechnics End of Program -

candidature

The performance highlighted above is commendable given the rigorous

quality assurance checks and mechanisms students go through during

their training.

There was an improvement in completion rate of 4% from 80% in 2018

to 84% in the year 2019. This is partly attributed to adequate syllabus

coverage and continuous improvement in assessment mechanisms which

collects evidence of a candidate’s competences and real life experiences.

Fig 2.1 shows the combined trend of completion rates since 2014 to

2019 signifying a stable performance.

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Fig. 2.1: Trends in Completion Rates For End of Program UCPC

Examinations (2014 -2019)

2.2 ADVANCED CRAFT CERTIFICATE CANDIDATURE:

Hon. Minister, a total of 702 (95 Females & 607 Males) candidates

registered for Advanced Craft Programs examinations and 667 (95%) sat

for the examinations from 98 Examination Centres.

Out of the 667 who sat, 555 (83%) successfully completed their

programs and will join the world of work to practice or proceed to

Diploma Level while 112 (17%) did not acquire full competence.

Details of the results are indicated in Table 2.2

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Table 2.2: Advanced Craft Certificate End of Program -

Candidature

This year we regisered an improvement in completion rate from 81% in

2018 to 83% representing a 2% increase. The reasons for improved

completetion rates are similar with those of UCPC mentioned earlier.

Fig 2.2 shows the combined trend of completion rates since 2014 to

2019 signifying a stable performance.

Fig. 2.2: Trends in Completion Rates for End of Program Advanced

Craft Examinations (2013 -2019)

The Figure above gives a trend of performance in this category for the

last seven years showing a fairly above average completion rate in 2013

becoming better in 2014 and 2015 above 90%. The performance

dropped slightly in 2016 and later stabilized at around 83% for the last

four years. This means that there is still room to improve the completion

rate to 100%.

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3.0 DETAILS OF PERFORMANCE BY PROGRAM, GENDER AND GRADES

Table 3.1: Uganda Community Polytechnics Certificate - End of Program Examinations Results

The table above shows the Certificate programs offered at Community Polytechnic level and it gives an analyis

of completion rates by gender and grades.

a) From the table, Uganda Community Polytechnic Certificates in Carpentry and Joinery, Garment Design

and Construction, Block Laying and Concreting Practice and Motor Vehicle Mechanics perfomed very

well with 90 %, 89%, 84% and 82% completion rates respectively.

b) The completion rates were low in Certificates in Food Preparations, Electrical Installation Practice and

Plumbing and Fitting with 63%, 73% and 74% respectively compared to other programs.

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c) Uganda Community Polytechnic Certificates in Carpentry & Joinery and Welding & Metal Fabrication

presented only two (02) female candidates each implying low registration rate among females in these

two fields.

d) Females registered a higher completion rate of 85% compared to 84% for males.

e) Mastery of Trade Calculations, Mathematics, English, and Science is still a challenge to some

candidates across most programs.

Table 3.2: Advanced Craft End of Program Examination Results

Similarly, the table above indicates the Certificate programs offered at Advanced Craft level and it gives

an analyis of completion rates by gender and grades.

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a) From table 3.2, Certificates in Painters and Decorators Craft Part II,

Plumbing in East African Countries Craft Part II and Radio,

Television and Electronics Course Part II perfomed very well with

100 %, 94%, and 91% respectively.

b) The completion rates in Certificates in Motor Vehicle Technician

Craft Course Part II and Carpentry and Joinery Craft Part II were

also good with 72% and 77% respectively.

c) Programs in Motor Vehicle Technician Craft Course Part II,

Carpentry and Joinery Craft Part II and Radio, Television and

Electronics Course Part II did not present any female candidates in

these examinations.

d) Female candidates registered a lower completion rate of 77% compared to

84% for males.

e) Whereas there are many reasons behind those who have not

completed in the expected time, slow mastery of Science and

Calculation across the programs stands out.

f) In addition, Motor Vehicle Technology A, and Radio & TV Theory

were poorly done papers which negatively affected the completion

rates of candidates in the respective programs.

The Board encourages all candidates who are yet to improve on their

competences in order for them to be awarded Certificates, to try their best

and compelete their training in their respective training centres. They will be

assessed when the courses are next offered.

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4.0 ACHIEVEMENTS

Hon. Minister;

a) As a result of the 2017 circular from the Permanent Secretary on streamlining

assessment, the Board is now assessing over 95 percent of all institutions and

programs expected to be under its jurisdiction.

b) The Board has integrated the use of Information and Communications

Techncology in its operations. Currently, all programs can be registred online

and this has eased the processing of academic documents for graduates.

Academic transcripts are also issued at the release of results.

c) Pursuant to Regulation 9 (1) (g) of the Statutory Instrument, the Board has

established collaborations with formal professionals bodies like Uganda Small

Scale Industries Association (USSIA), Uganda Manufacturers Association

(UMA), Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) and

Uganda Institutions of Professional Engineers (UIPE) which has enhanced

participation of the industry practitioners in the assessment processes. As a

result, today the Board will enter into formal arrangements of the partnership

with USSIA and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) by signing

MoUs.

d) In line with the approved TVET Policy, the Board has trained and enhanced

the capacity of Assessors from both public and private sectors in Competence

Based Assessment (CBA).

e) The Board has enhanced its security measures and has contained examination

malpractice and as such there were no reported cases of malpractice during the

conduct of these examinations.

f) The Board has embraced the Sustainable Development Goal No.4 which aims

at achieving inclusive and quality education while ensuring equal access to

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affordable vocational training to all; and has established a functional Special

Needs unit. Consquently, the 19 (17 males, and 2 females) candidates with

special needs who registered with the Board were adequately attended to.

5.0 Challenges encountered during the Conduct Examinations

Hon. Minister, during the conduct of examinations and processing of results, the

Board experienced the following challenges;

a) Whereas the practical aspects in UBTEB assessment and examinations have

gained ground with emphasis on Competence Based Assessment (CBA), the

Instructors in the Community Polytechnics are not yet all retooled in the

delivery of Competence Based Education and Training (CBET) programs.

b) While Board appreciates Government’s support in remitting of subventions on

a quarterly basis, the funds released are inadequate to cater for the increased

cost of processing, delivering and administering the examinations which

constrains the Board’s finances.

c) The current UCPC curricular does not have a provision to incorporate

continuous assessment marks in the final grading. This makes it very hard for

the Board to progressively collect the evidence of performance of the

candidates.

6.0 Recommendations

a) The Board proposes the review of UCPC curriculum to align it to CBET

principles.

b) The retooling of Instructors should be continuous to match with CBET and

generally Comptetence Based Assessment principles.

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c) Additional funding needs to be considered to enable the Board achieve

adequate and effective delivery of the Board’s mandate especially on

practical related assessment.

d) Incentivize female participation in BTVET training including affirmative

admission, provision of scholarships for female students, popularizing

progressive female technicians and female trainees in the media.

7.0 APPRECIATION

The Board is grateful to You Maama and Hon. Minister of Education and Sports

for your invaluable support and continued guidance on Policy matters. We are

grateful to the Sector for availing funds to the Board that has enabled it to fulfil its

mandate.

I take this opportunity to further thank the Ministry Techncial Team headed by the

Permanent Secretary and all our stakeholders including DIT, NCDC, UNEB,

NCHE, Uganda Police and the media. In the same vain, I thank all the

Examination managers who conducted these examinations in accordance with the

Board examination regulations. This has enabled the Board to produce

commendable output within a very short time of its existence.

In a very special way, please allow me to thank the Board members under the

chairmanship of Eng. Dr. Silver Mugisha for the invaluable support and guidance

offered to the Secretariat.

I cannot forget to thank the staff of UBTEB for the relentless service offered and

sacrifices made to ensure timely release of the examination results.

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The Board also appreciates the role of the press and media in the process of

achieving its vision and mission.

Finally, on behalf of the Secretariat and on my own behalf, allow me congratulate

all the candidates and parents/ guardians and all other UBTEB stakeholders for the

accomplishments made to this day. We shall always work together as we

continue….“Setting Pace for Quality Assessment”

I now take the honour to handover the November/December 2019 examination

results to the Board Chairperson who will in turn hand them over to the Hon.

Minister for release to the Public.

For God and my Country.

Onesmus Oyesigye (CPA)

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY