2024 UNEB timetable released

30 September 2024, 2:50 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Executive Director, Dan Nokrach Odongo, has today released the 2024 UNEB timetable for Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), O’Level, and A’Level candidates at the Uganda Media Centre. This is the first time UNEB will be examining candidates under the new lower secondary curriculum (NLSC) for the award of the Uganda Certificate of Education. Previously, there were three sets of examinations, but UNEB will now conduct four sets, Mr Odongo stated.

He continued by explaining that the four sets will be based on both the old and new curriculums. The old curriculum will be administered to candidates who were unable to pass in 2023 for various reasons, while the new curriculum will cater to candidates sitting for the examinations for the first time.

However, he cautioned that candidates repeating Senior 4 have this one opportunity and will not be examined again under this curriculum if they fail to progress to the next level. The transitional examinations aim to provide an opportunity for those needing to repeat or who missed the examinations in 2023.

According to the UNEB Executive Director, a total of 1,320,400 candidates have registered for these examinations, compared to 1,224,371 in 2023, representing an increase of 7.8%. The PLE candidates number 798,763, compared to 749,371 in 2023. UCE candidates total 379,620, up from 364,421 in 2023, while UACE candidates have risen to 142,017, compared to 110,579 in 2023.

The total number of male candidates is 645,661, representing 48.9%, while the total number of female candidates is 674,739, representing 51.1%. Of the registered candidates, 53% are government-supported, while the remainder are privately supported.

Briefing for Senior 4 candidates will be held on 11 October 2024, with examinations commencing on 13 October 2024. Briefing for PLE candidates will take place on 4 November 2024, and their examinations will begin on 6 November 2024.

The final batch will be the A’Level candidates, whose briefing will occur on 8 November 2024, with examinations starting on 11 November 2024. The number of special needs candidates has increased to 4,980, compared to 3,697 in 2023.

Headteachers have been reminded to submit the continuous assessment results for candidates, including those for inmates, via the school portal to UNEB by 30 October 2024. So far, 56% have submitted these assessments, which will contribute 20% to the overall marks.

The Executive Director warned the general public against fraudsters who claim to possess UNEB examination papers, stating that UNEB has not printed any papers yet. The theme for this year is “Embracing Security and Holistic Assessment of Learners in a Dynamic Environment.”

Under the new curriculum, candidates will have 36 subjects compared to 46 subjects in the old curriculum. Candidates have been advised to continue respecting school rules and regulations to avoid expulsion.

Headteachers have also been encouraged to seek solutions to issues rather than resorting to expulsion. Parents have been asked to speak to their children about maintaining good behaviour until the end of the examinations. Over one thousand centres will be used for this exercise.