333,889 Candidates to sit UCE Examinations starting tomorrow

A total of 333,889 candidates are scheduled to sit their Uganda Certificate of Educations from 3,935 Examination Centres.

48,135 of the candidates are funded under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) Program, while 185,754 candidates are Non-USE. Also, 499 Learners are Special Needs Education (SNE) candidates and the Board has carried out psycho-education assessment to establish their examination needs.

This year, 50.1% of the candidates are females, while 49.8% are males and 47 candidates will write their examinations from Upper Prison Inmates Secondary School Luzira.

The Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Examinations for the 2020 candidates will officially start on Friday February 26, 2021 with the briefing of candidates.

According to UNEB Executive Secretary Dan Odongo, the briefing must be done by the head teachers themselves.

“During the session, candidates must be made aware of the instructions contained in the timetables and the Rules and Regulations on examination conduct. The head teachers must explain clearly the consequences of cheating in the examination. UNEB has found out that cases of cheating by candidates usually arise from lack of briefing to candidates” He says in a statement.

Odongo added that the briefing is also aligned to the official national prayers and dedication for the candidates and the exanimation process under all faith affiliations, scheduled to take place from Friday 26- Sunday 28, 2021.

Candidates will start writing their examinations on Monday March 1, 2021, starting with Physics practical in the morning and Fine Art-Still Life/ Nature in the afternoon.

“Access arrangements have been made for these SNE learners to receive the necessary support. UNEB will avail braille answer sheets for the blind, large print question papers for those with low vision, while the deaf will receive sign language interpreters. Candidates with severe physical impairments that may affect use of apparatus during practical examinations will also receive support personnel. Those with dyslexia / reading and writing problems will be availed transcribers. Candidates with circumstantial impairments like asthma, epilepsy, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers will be accorded an extra 45 minutes” the statement adds.

The Board has introduced also introduced a toll-free line 0800-211-077 which members of the public can use to report any suspected case of examination malpractice. “We now have a Whistle Blower’s Policy to protect those reporting from victimisation and also ensure their compensation once the information is proven to be accurate.”