Thousands of Senior Four students across Uganda are facing an uncertain future after failing to meet the requirements for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) under the new curriculum.
A total of 6,974 learners did not obtain at least a D grade in any subject, making them ineligible to receive their UCE certificate.
The Ministry of Education has yet to clarify the next steps for these students, leaving them in limbo. Under the old curriculum, such students would have been categorized as Division 9 and advised to retake the examination. However, the new curriculum does not explicitly outline a clear course of action for those who do not qualify for certification.
No Clear Directive on Repeating Senior Four
The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has maintained that only students who receive UCE certificates will be allowed to proceed to Senior Five, raising concerns about what will happen to those who failed to qualify. The main question remains: Will they be required to repeat Senior Four, return to earlier classes, or drop out of the formal education system entirely?
According to UNEB guidelines, learners must accumulate continuous assessment results from Senior Three and Senior Four to be eligible for the final exam. If these students are required to repeat, how their assessment records will be handled remains unclear.
Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, acknowledged the ongoing deliberations. “Being a new curriculum, some of these are still in the learning process, and this is one of the issues we are currently addressing. Soon, we will review the matter and provide guidance,” she said.
Limited Options and Growing Frustration
Parents and education stakeholders have expressed frustration over the lack of clear guidance from the Ministry. Some fear that without a structured pathway, the affected students may be left with no choice but to drop out. Others are calling for a remedial program that allows students to improve their grades without having to repeat two full years.
Additionally, questions remain about whether mature-age entry will still be an option for students who wish to register for UCE examinations later in life. Previously, UNEB allowed older candidates to sit for exams, but the Ministry has not yet provided a stance on this under the new system.
A Growing Pattern of Uncertainty
This is not the first time the Ministry has struggled with transition challenges. In 2023, a one-time transitional examination was introduced for students under the old curriculum who had failed UCE. Despite this effort, over 1,600 students still failed to pass, leaving them without a clear path forward.
As pressure mounts, the Ministry is expected to provide a definitive solution soon. For now, the fate of 6,974 learners hangs in the balance, highlighting the urgent need for a structured policy to address such cases under the new curriculum.
